Research shows that having Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), causes unhealthy levels of stress, which if frequent and prolonged, can dramatically change how the brain develops and increase the risk of health and social problems throughout a lifetime.

Easy to Share Fact Sheets

• Connections Matter Adverse Childhood Experiences and Training Factsheet 
• Georgia ACEs Reports English PDF | Spanish PDF | Visit Website 
• The Case for ACEs Prevention by Resilient Georgia
• ACEs Flyers from PACEs Connection Community (Spanish)

Research and Data

• Original ACEs Studies
• Georgia ACEs Data
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Help Youth at Risk for ACEs
• CDC, “VitalSigns: Adverse Childhood Experiences”
• ACEs research findings and TIC practical tools and interventions for Nurses
• Georgia ACEs data along with additional risk and protective factors: https://tinyurl.com/PACESD2A
• Ways to Counter the Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences 
• Researchers show adverse childhood events contribute to lower self-control among teens

Stay Connected with Others Interested in ACEs

• Connect and learn about ACEs by joining the Georgia PACEs Connection community, an action-based, social network of professionals and community members sharing resources, best practices and success stories.

Available Online Training and Webinars on ACEs

• Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) Training
• Haven’t taken the Connections Matter Georgia Training? It’s a great place to start understanding the impact of ACEs along with how to prevent and mitigate ACEs.
• ACEs and Fatherlessness – Dr. Stan Sonu 
• CDC’s Making the Case for Businesses 
• CDC’s online training: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Adverse Childhood Experiences Webinar by Dr. Vincent J. Felitti

Whenever we talk about Adverse Childhood Experiences, it is equally important that we talk about protective factors. Protective Factors are what helps children and families thrive despite whatever risk factors they might face. We are more likely to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by building protective factors in families and communities rather than by altering the risk factors. Helping parents build protective factors can lead to positive long-term outcomes for them and their children. The protective factor framework is led by Strengthening Families Georgia

Resilience– the ability to bounce back or push through 

• Resilience Questionnaire in Spanish 
• Resilient Georgia Reports (summaries, reports, and infographics by Georgia region)
• Mind Yeti- Free Guided Mindfulness Sessions 
• Practical Strategies to Build Resilience in Children 
• Educators Promoting Student Resilience
• Kate’s Club Connection– bereavement support services and grief education to the Greater Atlanta community through school outreach and community partnerships
• Fostering Resilience Resources
• After losing parents, 6-year-old boy seeks smiles

Social Connections- having networks of emotionally supportive friends, family, and neighbors

• Healthy Outcomes of Positive Experiences (HOPE), an initiative working to shift how we see and talk about the positive experiences that support children’s growth and development into healthy, resilient adults. Their work focuses on the impact of positive and nurturing relationships in childhood.
• Despite pandemic, teacher still gives his kids customized greetings
• The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community

Concrete Supports in Times of Need- knowing where to turn to for help

• 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) is a free statewide helpline that connects parents, caregivers, and professionals with the help they need wherever they live in Georgia. Callers speak with a trained resource navigators who care and want to help! You can also search for supportive resources statewide by going to www.PCAGeorgiaHelpline.org.

Social and Emotional Competence- learning to talk about and handle feelings

• Parenting in a social and emotionally competent way, “Parent with ACEs: Is it time to change your parenting playbook?”
• The Grow Kinder Podcast discusses how social-emotional skills, such as empathy, emotion management, and positive communication, are important inside and outside of classrooms.
• 6-year- old helps brother breathe to calm down

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development- knowing how children learn and grow

• Parenting resources from Zero to Three

Additional resources for implementing protective factors

• The Center for the Study on Social Policy 
• belongingforhope.org
• Protective Factors Approaches in Child Welfare 
• Preventing ACEs Before They Occur Video
• Upstream Prevention Video from WRCPC
• Podcast: The Place We Find Ourselves
• Podcast: Unlocking Us by Brene Brown
• CDC: Risk and Protective Factors

Brains are shaped by our experiences throughout our lifetime, both positive and negative.  Research reveals that positive experiences that shape early brain development are crucial for healthy outcomes; however, high and prolonged levels of stress can negatively impact that building process. Understanding brain development throughout the lifespan can help us promote healthy development and outcomes.

Brain Development and Trauma Factsheets

• Early Brain Development
• Voices for GA’s Children: Maltreatment and Brain Development Factsheet
• Rat Study Shows Childhood Trauma Can Change the Brain (But It Can Be Changed Back)
• Vicarious Trauma: Trauma and Brain Science Why Can’t I Think My Way Out of This
• Understanding Brain Development can Help Inform Approach to Working with Kids Affected by Trauma, from The Sector
• Better Brains for Babies
• Zero to Three

Epignetics, the Generational Biological Impact

• Epigenetics Study Video
• Podcast episode: The Legacy of Trauma: Can Experiences Leave a Biological Imprint?
• Childhood trauma can speed biological aging
• Trauma-informed care training podcast: Shortwave – The Legacy of Trauma: Can Experiences Leave a Biological Imprint

The Impact of Trauma

• Bruce Perry: how trauma interrupts human development 
• New study shows racism may shorten black Americans’ lifespans
• What Survivors Of Complex Trauma Want You To Know 
• 5 Truths About Trauma You Need to Know

Trauma-Informed Care

• Trauma-Informed Care from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s Organizational Assessment 
• A Roadmap for Trauma-Informed Organizations from Resilient Georgia 
• Child Trends: How to Implement Trauma-informed Care to Build Resilience to Childhood Trauma 
• Resilient Georgia’s Training Roadmap (Trauma Aware/Informed trainings available in Georgia)
• Dr. Sandra Bloom’s Presence Model: Helping organizations to become trauma-informed, trauma-responsive, and trauma-resilient 
• Handle With Care – Although there is not currently legislation in Georgia, it is being implemented locally in several counties with great success, including Troup and Lumpkin Counties.
• The Importance Of Trauma-Informed Design
• Me & My Emotions

Strategies for Those Impacted by Trauma

• The world’s most accessible stress reliever = Singing! 
• Therapeutic Tremoring – Shake Off Stress And Trauma
• Liberate Meditation App– meditations geared towards mitigating the impact that racism has on the health of people of color
• New Study: Gardening Just 2x/wk Improves Wellbeing and Prunes Your Stress
• How To Survive Trauma Reminders

Trauma Resources by Sector

• Early Childhood Education
  • From trauma-informed to asset-informed care in early childhood 
  • Leadership Role: The Importance of Creating a Caring Culture in Early Learning
• Educators & Schools

• • How Educators and Schools can support Students with Adverse Childhood Experiences 
  • Every Opportunity to Connect
  • Every Opportunity to Connect Deconstructed
• Judges & Courts
  • Georgia Courts Journal: Building a Trauma-Informed Court
  • Georgia Courts Journal: Trauma-Responsive Prosecutors
• Healthcare– California Is Giving Doctors Incentives To Ask Patients About Childhood Trauma
• Clinicians, Counselors, Therapists– Stopping Generational Trauma in Communities of Color in clinical settings

• Business– Business community could benefit from trauma-informed practices

Childhood Trauma and Other Cultures

• Research: 4 in 5 Latino Kids Suffer Childhood Trauma 
• California Teachers Build a ‘Nest’ for Migrant Kids at the Border 
• Culturally-sensitive programs and policies can prevent or reduce the effects of traumatic childhood experiences, improve mental health, and boost school readiness in Latino kids
• Sesame Street and the IRC are helping refugee children overcome trauma

Podcasts

• One in Ten
• Yeah No, I’m Not OK