The origional ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) test is was a deceptively simple ten question instrument with profound implications. ACEs are something that happens across generations within a social framework. The original ACE study was done, by the CDC and the Kaiser Permanente foundation on a middle-class white [although with significant minority presence] population twenty years ago.
Who Is Involved NowThe federal government (CDC), a number of state governments, and foreign nations are creating a whole constellation of programs, bridging many social institutions, aimed at ameliorating the effects of high ACE exposure. Parts of many social institutions such as education, courts, and health care are involved.
There are 450 PACE communities as of January 2022. Most of these activities are proceeding independently with little cross linkage particularly at the local level. There is now movement at the national level to coordinate and link trauma informed efforts and resources. However, there is no concomitant effort to develop the sciences of PACES. |
Key CompetenciesKnowledgeable individuals should know what PACEs are and the dangers of high ACE exposure and possible (P)ositive responses.
Social scientists should become aware of how PACE affects them, their neighbors and their schools, communities, health, courts, and institutions, including those in which they work. Knowledgeable individuals should be able to locate and use resiliency and buffering resources that exist now. Knowledgeable social scientists should develop the capacity to develop new tools and programs to assist in addressing the two way interactions between both Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences [ACEs] and Culture and social institutions broadly conceived. |
Dennis Haffron (this sites creator) has 40 years’ experience directing diverse social service agencies and has observed how ACE awareness could affect the provision of effective human services. He has taught Sociology and Family and Marriage classes for seven years at the college level. He was one of two college level educators who attended the pioneer Train the Trainers Course on ACE which was provided by the Illinois Education Association this year.
We Promise You An open forum for learning and sharing |