ACEs Affect Everyone

The ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences Study) tells us that trauma changes the way a child's brain develops. The impact of stress chemicals like cortisol and adrenalin sculpt synaptic connections that limit feelings of belonging and significance. Lacking these essential human experiences produces unhealthy behaviors and coping mechanisms that increase the likelihood for negative outcomes like suicide attempts, truancy, substance abuse, homelessness and chronic disease.  Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are not rare and they are not restricted to a socio-economic class, race or area. According to scientific, sociological and medical leaders, they are the number one determinant of overall public health and a crisis in our country. Clark County is currently accelerating its understanding of and response to ACEs and other kinds of trauma. 

An ACEs Primer (5 min)

Dr. Vincent Felitti (32 min)

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris (16 min)

You Matter!

There is much to do and your participation will make a significant impact: If you would like to be part of the solution, sign up for an iCAN workshop and let us know where you would like to help on the Be a Connector page. ​

Resilience CAN Make a Difference

Though it can be disheartening to discover the physiological impacts of childhood trauma, it is encouraging to know that we can respond in ways that offset the negative biological impact. Dr. Anda, the doctor from the Center for Disease control that partnered with Dr. Felitti in the original study says, "If it's predictable, it's preventable." The most powerful positive impact on ACEs comes from the presence of a committed and caring adult. Dr. Felitti says that resilience comes from strongly held the belief that you matter to someone.  
​We can do that! Visit the Be A Connector page on our site to find out how.

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Battle Ground's Resilience Implementation Strategy

For a more in depth look at Battle Ground's efforts to build resilience, please download the files below. The Resilience Implementation Strategy is the why and how of the graphic above. The Resilience Strategy is a copy of the graphic you can download and print. Thanks!

resilience_implementation_strategy.pdf
File Size:	97 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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resilience_strategy.pdf
File Size:	81 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Websites to find out more:

ACEs Too High
Resilience Trumps ACEs
Foundation for Healthy Generations
​ACEs Connection Network
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Resilience 

Resilience is a reality! According to the Kauai Study by Emmy Werner, three things contribute to resilience. First, innate character and personality traits. Second, a caring adult presence and third, a sense of community connectedness. We can offer two of the three!

ACEs, Trauma and Resilience in Battle Ground

If you want to increase your personal understanding of ACEs and the impact of trauma, the perspectives of our youth and how to participate in building resilience in our community, come to an iCAN Workshop. They happen at Connect BG Coalition partner locations. Check out the BE A CONNECTOR page for more info.

Books

"Positive Discipline" Jane Nelsen, Ed.D.
"Help for Billy" Heather T. Forbes
"How Children Succeed" Paul Tough
"Hurt 2.0" Chap Clark
​"Stand by Me" Jean E. Rhodes
"Tribe" by Sebastian Junger
"The Whole Brain Child" by Daniel J. Siegel, MD & Tina Payne Bryson, PhD
​"Ordinary Magic" by Ann Masten
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ACEs Graphics