Fighting ACEs Initiative

Since 2016, with support from Quantum Foundation, Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Center for Child Counseling's Fighting ACEs Initiative has aimed to build awareness about the impact of ACEs, with promotion of a trauma-informed approach Using a public health approach, the initiative is anchored in prevention as a response to the preponderance of evidence calling communities to act and intervene in the earliest years of life Center for Child Counseling's risk and protective factor method to improving child mental wellness works locally and across sectors to change individual and community outcomes Services and programming is targeted at the different sectors in Palm Beach County to create community impact while still serving, educating, and treating at the individual level

Individually, the organization has helped thousands of infants, children, and their adult caregivers improve social- emotional wellness, coping skills, resiliency, and self-regulation

Center for Child Counseling's three tiered, public health prevention approach targets individuals through the classroom, relationships (teachers, peers, caregivers, siblings, etc.), and the broader community (administrators, school staff, pediatricians, lawyers, judges, law enforcement, etc) to build better buffering relationships and heal the lasting effects of adversity, sustained toxic stress, and traumatic events.

The three tiers include universal, selected, and indicated services delivered based on assessed need and risk of the infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary aged students they serve The organization's Education and Prevention Services division and Institute for Clinical Training has allowed them to train thousands of parents, caregivers, nurses, teachers, and therapists, to build the community's capacity to scale the workforce to effectively meet the Childhood Mental Health needs present in Palm Beach County The organization also provides integrated support and training in the communities where programming is provided, including childcare centers and schools

This White Paper's societal impact is aimed to help build systemic awareness of ACEs and their lasting effects, reduce unintentional re-traumatization of some of the most vulnerable and disenfranchised citizens in our systems and institutions, and promote a cross-sector, public health response to this public health crisis

This 2023 revision reflects an urgent need to reassess priorities in light of the pandemic's traumatic effect on youth, families, communities, and the workforce who have been on the frontlines supporting overwhelming grief, loss, and trauma.

"Palm Beach County Youth Services Department and the Birth to 22 TraumaSensitive Community Committee are grateful that Center for Child Counseling is localizing the research on Adverse Childhood Experiences

We know that many of the children we serve have suffered trauma, and we want to build strong networks of supportive adults that can assist these children build resiliency. We also recognize that many parents suffered from trauma in their own childhood and they are doing the very best they can to raise their children Instead of adopting a 'blame the parent' approach, let’s equip parents with knowledge and tools."

-Tammy K. Fields Director, Palm Beach County Youth Services