ACES

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are forms of chronic stress and trauma that accumulate over time. They can even be relatively common. However, ACEs disproportionately impact children spending time in the foster care system. Building resilience in children and in their caregivers is the answer! Please reference our Mental Health, Trauma and Grief & Loss pages for more resources.

“Our children are not broken, instead they are contending with toxic dosages of adversity.” ~Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, author of The Deepest Well, available in ORPARC's library

Websites

Recommended Books & Articles

ACEs-related Materials in ORPARC's library - please also reference Trauma-related Materials

ACEs and Toxic Stress: Frequently Asked Questions by the Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Wellbeing by Trauma Informed Oregon
Beyond the ACE Score: Perspectives from the NCTSN on Child Trauma and Adversity Screening and Impact by NCTSN
Family History Unknown: Understanding Adopted Individuals' Needs in the Healthcare Environment by National Council for Adoption
Paper Tigers and The Resilience Project by Prevent Child Abuse America
The Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Nationally, by State, and by Race or Ethnicity by Child Trends
Promoting Resilience in Children Guidebook by Reaching IN...Reaching Out
Trauma Informed Care Starter Guide for Adolescents in Primary Care - many resources for and/or to educate providers!
Understanding Trauma Informed Education by Mathew Portell, Edutopia
We Can Prevent Childhood Adversity by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Why positive childhood experiences are important for all children and families by HOPE

Videos & Podcasts

ACEs Primer by KPJR Films, LLC (video)
Adverse Childhood Experiences by Public Health Network Cymru (animated video)
House Model of the Brain by Jessica Sinarski (video)
How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime, TedTalk by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
The Resilience Tree by Center for Community Resilience (video)

TEDTalk: How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime

No one tells it better than California Surgeon General and author Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris in her TedTalk. Or, check out her book The Deepest Well from ORPARC's Library.