Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is a term used to describe prolonged exposure of child and youth under eighteen to abuse, neglect, witness to abuse and household crisis. Kaiser performed an ACEs study, and it was the first significant study examining the effect of the experiences and the correlation with compromised health and wellness later in life. Never tell a person, that was in the past – it affects the present throughout their lifetime with serious impacts on psychological and physical health. In fact, the study showed people with six or more adverse childhood experiences died nearly twenty years earlier on average than those without these experiences.
The impact of child maltreatment in healthcare, child welfare, special education, criminal justice and productivity lost is estimated by the CDC to be $124 billion. Prevention of the issue is key. Strategies to prevent and to deal with ACE’s include; parenting skills programs, domestic partner abuse counseling, substance abuse counseling, mental health treatment, social supports for parents, income support and access to day care. WJS is achieving good results in their work with children and families through implementation of Trauma Informed Practice in their services. These practices focus on understanding of the ACE’s and strategies to address them and help to strengthen individuals and families in communities.
— Anne Nikon, Chief Operating Officer at WJS Canada