Resources

Here are some resources for understanding ACEs and even helping a child in your life build resiliency through trauma-informed care and guided self-care opportunities.

Video Resources

Living with and Overcoming ACEs in West Virginia

Living with and Overcoming ACEs in West Virginia

VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED
This video is for adult audiences and contains content that may be triggering to some individuals, especially adults who have experienced trauma.
Please reach out to a friend or mental health professional should you need support.
Quinton is a fictional character played by a child actor, depicting a child in West Virginia. The adult stories are real, courageously told to help address childhood trauma in West Virginia.
Video Distribution Guide

Adverse Childhood Events


Dr. Brumage

WV ACE's - Adverse Childhood Experiences Coalition of West Virginia

 Jim McKay, Dr. Brumage and JKathy Szafran

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

 JKathy Szafran, MA-LPC

5 Things to be in place that families need to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

 Jim McKay - State Director, Prevent Chid Abuse WV

WV Early Childhood Planning

Task Force



 JKathy Szafran, MA-LPC and Julie Pratt, Barbara Gebhard, Beverly Petrelli, Tracee Chambers

Dr. Burke Harris and Oprah Winfrey discuss Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Dr. Burke Harris and Oprah Winfrey

Adverse Childhood Events



Dr. Brumage

WV ACE's - Adverse Childhood Experiences Coalition of West Virginia

 Jim McKay, Dr. Brumage and JKathy Szafran

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)



 JKathy Szafran, MA-LPC

5 Things to be in place that families need to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

 Jim McKay - State Director, Prevent Chid Abuse WV

WV Early Childhood Planning

Task Force

 JKathy Szafran, MA-LPC and Julie Pratt, Barbara Gebhard, Beverly Petrelli, Tracee Chambers

Dr. Burke Harris and Oprah Winfrey discuss Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Dr. Burke Harris and Oprah Winfrey


How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime

 Nadine Burke Harris

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Impact on brain, body and behavior

How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime

 Nadine Burke Harris

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Impact on brain, body and behavior

What Trauma Taught Me About Resilience

 Charles Hunt

Children Act Out Because of Trauma Oprah Winfrey Network

 Dr. Bruce Perrys

What Trauma Taught Me About Resilience

 Charles Hunt

Children Act Out Because of Trauma Oprah Winfrey Network

 Dr. Bruce Perrys

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) for Disease Control and Prevention

Adverse Childhood Events Webinar “Adverse Childhood Experiences in West Virginia: Why it Matters.”

 Michael Brumage, MD, MPH, FACP, FACPM

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) for Disease Control and Prevention

Adverse Childhood Events Webinar “Adverse Childhood Experiences in West Virginia: Why it Matters.”

 Michael Brumage, MD, MPH, FACP, FACPM

Why is it important to learn about ACEs?

Childhood experiences, good and bad, have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. The goal of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study was to determine how common ACEs are in the United States and to examine whether there is a relationship between ACEs and later-life health and well-being.


The study found that ACEs are preventable, and their prevention has the potential to improve the lives of millions of Americans. CDC works to prevent ACEs by supporting state and local efforts to prevent violence and promote safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for all children and families.

SUPPORT US

ACEs Films Resilience and Paper Tigers

Offered by The WV ACES Coalition and TEAM for WV Children.

Childhood experiences, good and bad, have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. The goal of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study was to determine how common ACEs are in the United States and to examine whether there is a relationship between ACEs and later-life health and well-being.


The study found that ACEs are preventable, and their prevention has the potential to improve the lives of millions of Americans. CDC works to prevent ACEs by supporting state and local efforts to prevent violence and promote safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for all children and families.

James Redford

 Director - KPJR Films

LEARN MORE

Childhood experiences, good and bad, have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. The goal of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study was to determine how common ACEs are in the United States and to examine whether there is a relationship between ACEs and later-life health and well-being.


The study found that ACEs are preventable, and their prevention has the potential to improve the lives of millions of Americans. CDC works to prevent ACEs by supporting state and local efforts to prevent violence and promote safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for all children and families.

James Redford

 Director - KPJR Films

LEARN MORE

Articles & Blogs

The ACEs Coalition of WV Releases

Five-Part COVID-19 & Kids Issue Brief Series

The Five-Part ACEs and COVID-19 Issue Brief Series will be released statewide in partnership with WV KIDS COUNT


The series will combine the expertise of Coalition members in their respected fields representing WV KIDS COUNT, Inspiring Dreams Network, Marshall University, WV Department of Education, Supreme Court of Appeals of WV, TEAM for WV’s Children, Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center, and more.


The COVID-19’s Impact on Educating West Virginia’s Kids issue brief sheds some light on the challenges and opportunities that teachers and other educators are facing. It provides coping strategies and resources for student success amid the pandemic.

The ACEs Coalition of WV Releases Five-Part COVID-19 & Kids Issue Brief Series

The Five-Part ACEs and COVID-19 Issue Brief Series will be released statewide in partnership with WV KIDS COUNT


The series will combine the expertise of Coalition members in their respected fields representing WV KIDS COUNT, Inspiring Dreams Network, Marshall University, WV Department of Education, Supreme Court of Appeals of WV, TEAM for WV’s Children, Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center, and more.


The COVID-19’s Impact on Educating West Virginia’s Kids issue brief sheds some light on the challenges and opportunities that teachers and other educators are facing. It provides coping strategies and resources for student success amid the pandemic.

Parenting with ACEs

As an adult, you may still feel the effects of your own Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). What does this mean for your own health? This depends on how many ACEs you experienced as a child. It also depends on whether you’ve had certain positive experiences that help reduce the effects of stress.


These positive experiences are known as “protective factors.” Did a friend, family member, or mental health care professional provide support during your childhood? Do you have a good support system in place now? These experiences help reduce the effects of ACEs. The impact of ACEs also depends on factors such as how you personally manage stress. Let’s start by talking about how stress works.

DOWNLOAD

Balancing ACE With HOPE:

New Insights into the Role of Positive Experience on Child and Family Development

A report that was co-authored by Bart Klika, PhD, Chief Research and Strategy Officer, and Robert Sege, MD, PhD, PCA America Board Member. 


This report presents evidence for HOPE (Health Outcomes of Positive Experiences) based on newly released, compelling data that reinforce the need to promote positive experiences for children and families in order to foster healthy childhood development despite the adversity common in so many families. These data:

01

Establish a spirit of hope and optimism and make the case that positive experienc­es have lasting impact on human development and functioning, without ignoring well-documented concerns related to toxic environments.

02

Demonstrate, through science, the powerful contribution of positive relationships and experiences to the development of healthy children and adults.

03

Describe actions related to current social norms regarding parenting practices, partic­ularly those associated with healthy child development. These actions are based on data that suggest that American adults are willing to intervene personally to prevent child abuse and neglect.

04

Reflect upon the positive returns on investment that our society can expect as we make changes in policies, practices, and future research to support positive childhood environments that foster the healthy development of children.

Balancing ACE With HOPE:

New Insights into the Role of Positive Experience on Child and Family Development

A report that was co-authored by Bart Klika, PhD, Chief Research and Strategy Officer, and Robert Sege, MD, PhD, PCA America Board Member. 


This report presents evidence for HOPE (Health Outcomes of Positive Experiences) based on newly released, compelling data that reinforce the need to promote positive experiences for children and families in order to foster healthy childhood development despite the adversity common in so many families. These data:

01

Establish a spirit of hope and optimism and make the case that positive experienc­es have lasting impact on human development and functioning, without ignoring well-documented concerns related to toxic environments.

02

Demonstrate, through science, the powerful contribution of positive relationships and experiences to the development of healthy children and adults.

03

Describe actions related to current social norms regarding parenting practices, partic­ularly those associated with healthy child development. These actions are based on data that suggest that American adults are willing to intervene personally to prevent child abuse and neglect.

04

Reflect upon the positive returns on investment that our society can expect as we make changes in policies, practices, and future research to support positive childhood environments that foster the healthy development of children.

Harvard Guide to Toxic Stress

Chances are, you’ve heard or read something about toxic stress—maybe from the media, from a physician or other medical professional, or from a family member, friend, or neighbor. You may feel overwhelmed by all of the toxic stress information out there.


And, unfortunately, it’s very easy to find misleading or incorrect information. The Center on the Developing Child created this Guide to Toxic Stress to clear up the confusion and help you learn the facts about toxic stress step by step.


Toxic Stress 101

 

If you’re short on time or just need a quick introduction to toxic stress—what it is, how it’s different from other types of stress, and what it can do to development and healths.

 


The Science and Social Causes of Toxic Stress


Now that you know the basics, it’s helpful to dig a little deeper into what exactly happens in the brain and body as part of the toxic stress response and what can cause it.


Preventing and Addressing Toxic Stress


Toxic stress is a very serious issue, but it is not the end of the story. No matter who you are, there are concrete actions you can take to help prevent toxic stress and support those who have experienced it. Find out more about resilience and a series of articles on tackling toxic stress.


Toxic Stress 101

 

If you’re short on time or just need a quick introduction to toxic stress—what it is, how it’s different from other types of stress, and what it can do to development and healths.

 

LEARN MORE


The Science and Social Causes of Toxic Stress


Now that you know the basics, it’s helpful to dig a little deeper into what exactly happens in the brain and body as part of the toxic stress response and what can cause it.

LEARN MORE


Preventing and Addressing Toxic Stress


Toxic stress is a very serious issue, but it is not the end of the story. No matter who you are, there are concrete actions you can take to help prevent toxic stress and support those who have experienced it. Find out more about resilience and a series of articles on tackling toxic stress.

LEARN MORE

Toxic Stress 101

 If you’re short on time or just need a quick introduction to toxic stress—what it is, how it’s different from other types of stress, and what it can do to development and healths.

 

The Science and Social Causes of Toxic Stress

Now that you know the basics, it’s helpful to dig a little deeper into what exactly happens in the brain and body as part of the toxic stress response and what can cause it.

Preventing and Addressing Toxic Stress

Toxic stress is a very serious issue, but it is not the end of the story. No matter who you are, there are concrete actions you can take to help prevent toxic stress and support those who have experienced it. Find out more about resilience and a series of articles on tackling toxic stress.

The Science of Resilience

Resilience is not about keeping the system exactly the same; it is not about not changing. Rather, it is about enabling the system to adapt around shocks and disturbances, to self-organize such that the system’s identity is sustained.


Trying to hold a system in a state that optimizes the supply of goods and services is tantamount to attempting to simplify its complexity. The consequence is that the system’s ability to reorganize in response to disturbances or new conditions that might arise is constrained, and it loses its resilience.

LEARN MORE

The Science of Resilience

Resilience is not about keeping the system exactly the same; it is not about not changing. Rather, it is about enabling the system to adapt around shocks and disturbances, to self-organize such that the system’s identity is sustained.


Trying to hold a system in a state that optimizes the supply of goods and services is tantamount to attempting to simplify its complexity. The consequence is that the system’s ability to reorganize in response to disturbances or new conditions that might arise is constrained, and it loses its resilience.

Resilience is not about keeping the system exactly the same; it is not about not changing. Rather, it is about enabling the system to adapt around shocks and disturbances, to self-organize such that the system’s identity is sustained.


Trying to hold a system in a state that optimizes the supply of goods and services is tantamount to attempting to simplify its complexity. The consequence is that the system’s ability to reorganize in response to disturbances or new conditions that might arise is constrained, and it loses its resilience.

LEARN MORE

Adverse Childhood Experiences Revised Questionnaire

Our relationships and experiences—even those in childhood—can affect our health and wellbeing. Difficult childhood experiences are very common. Please tell us whether you have had any of the experiences listed below, as they may be affecting your health today or may affect your health in the future. This information will help you and your provider better understand how to work together to support your health and well-being.

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Guide for Children of Addicted Parents

Trying to cope with your parents’ addiction is extremely difficult. Breaking the cycle of silence and stigma involves asking for help, preparing to have a difficult conversation with your parents, and being ready to move out and stay somewhere safe.

LEARN MORE

Adverse childhood experiences are 'strong predictor' for adolescent cannabis use

The research, led by University of Bath psychologist, and expert in , Dr. Lindsey Hines, analyzed outcomes for over 5,000 participants tracked using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children—also known as the 'Children of the 90s' study.


Read more

NYT: Putting the Power of Self-Knowledge to Work


Thirty years ago, the Nobel Prize-winning novelist Doris Lessing gave a series of lectures, later published in a book, “Prisons We Choose to Live Inside,” in which she reflected on the brutality in the world and asked how individuals and societies could evolve into something better.

LEARN MORE

NYT: Putting the Power of Self-Knowledge to Work

Thirty years ago, the Nobel Prize-winning novelist Doris Lessing gave a series of lectures, later published in a book, “Prisons We Choose to Live Inside,” in which she reflected on the brutality in the world and asked how individuals and societies could evolve into something better.

LEARN MORE

NYT: Putting the Power of Self-Knowledge to Work

Thirty years ago, the Nobel Prize-winning novelist Doris Lessing gave a series of lectures, later published in a book, “Prisons We Choose to Live Inside,” in which she reflected on the brutality in the world and asked how individuals and societies could evolve into something better.

LEARN MORE

Center for Child Counseling: Resilience is a Powerful Weapon

 

Think about a toddler who is just learning to walk. Picture the number of times that toddler stumbles and tumbles. Researchers at New York University, directed by Dr. Karen Adolph, showed that newly-walking infants travel about 2,360 steps each hour. They also fall down an average of 17 times during that same period. Imagine you failed at something you were trying to achieve 17 times every hour. You’d be experiencing a setback once every 3.5 minutes – very disheartening. But do toddlers stop trying to walk successfully? Never. They get up again and again and keep moving. This is a compelling way to describe resilience. As Oliver Goldsmith, an 18th century Irish poet, put it: “Success is simply standing up one more time than you fall down.” 


 

What makes some people so resilient and what does this have to do with ACEs? As we’ve learned, ACEs are Adverse Childhood Experiences that have a dramatically detrimental effect on a person’s lifelong mental and physical health. The statistics for those with high ACE scores seem bleak. They suffer from more diseases, greater levels of depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse. They die, on average, 20 years younger than those with no ACEs. But there is hope and resilience might be the key. 

Read more

Center for Child Counseling: Resilience is a Powerful Weapon

 Think about a toddler who is just learning to walk. Picture the number of times that toddler stumbles and tumbles. Researchers at New York University, directed by Dr. Karen Adolph, showed that newly-walking infants travel about 2,360 steps each hour. They also fall down an average of 17 times during that same period. Imagine you failed at something you were trying to achieve 17 times every hour. You’d be experiencing a setback once every 3.5 minutes – very disheartening. But do toddlers stop trying to walk successfully? Never. They get up again and again and keep moving. This is a compelling way to describe resilience. As Oliver Goldsmith, an 18th century Irish poet, put it: “Success is simply standing up one more time than you fall down.” 

 

What makes some people so resilient and what does this have to do with ACEs? As we’ve learned, ACEs are Adverse Childhood Experiences that have a dramatically detrimental effect on a person’s lifelong mental and physical health. The statistics for those with high ACE scores seem bleak. They suffer from more diseases, greater levels of depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse. They die, on average, 20 years younger than those with no ACEs. But there is hope and resilience might be the key. 

Read more

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