January 2019

[Editor's note: Dr. Harise Stein at Stanford University edits a web site -- abuseresearch.info -- that focuses on the health effects of abuse, and includes research articles on ACEs. Every month, she will post the summaries of the abstracts and links to research articles that address only ACEs. Thank you, Harise!! -- Jane Stevens] Houtepen LC, Hardy R, Maddock J, et. al. Childhood adversity and DNA methylation in two population-based cohorts. Transl Psychiatry. 2018 Dec 3;8(1):266. PMID:...

photo: Rolf Schweitzer/CCO Dr. Arnd Herz, a self-described champion for ACEs science, would like nothing more than to witness a greater appreciation of how widespread adverse childhood experiences are. Herz, a pediatrician and director of Medi-Cal Strategy for the Greater Southern Alameda Area for Kaiser Permanente Northern California, would also like to encourage more people in health care to engage in a trauma-informed care approach, a change in practice that he says not only benefits...

Policymakers increasingly recognize that social and emotional development plays a critical role in students’ ability to learn, and are enacting policies to encourage the integration of social and emotional learning (SEL) into school curricula. Many state policies already provide a foundation for including SEL in schools; however, policymakers should also consider policies that incorporate a holistic vision of SEL that creates healthy learning environments for all children. Child Trends, in...

On December 4, 2018, SPARCC hosted a national convening that called on more than 300 activists, researchers, policy-makers, physicians, artists, investors and others from across the country to come together in conversation. We, the people, have the power of collective action to build inclusive communities. That was the message in Los Angeles at SPARCC’s national convening, Investment Without Displacement. The convening began by acknowledging the historical legacy of displacement and policies...

Culture of Health Leaders are people working in every field and profession who want to use their influence to advance a Culture of Health where every resident has a fair opportunity to live a long, healthy life. This kind of leader isn’t defined by a fancy title or a corner office. They’re working on the ground, applying their skills and experience to solve urgent issues that impact their community and beyond. They get their hands dirty—running a business, leading a nonprofit, building things.

Innovative Partnerships Grant (PDF) : The Innovative Partnerships grant provides funding for up to six qualified Applicants to implement projects that develop regional collaborative networks between Child Abuse Prevention Councils (CAPCs) and community stakeholders, in an effort to improve child abuse prevention outcomes. To read more, go to http://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/OCAP/Grants Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/deapeajay/2597109669

Millions of people around the world are working to heal their Childhood PTSD (which is very positive). I've noticed there are two general approaches people follow, and in this video I tell you which one (I think) is more likely to recover. In one group, people are very in touch with what HAPPENED to them in the past. They usually have clear diagnoses (or suspect diagnoses), seek out professional help and are very in touch with the symptoms they experience from day to day. A second group is...

Each year, the advocacy movement in Iowa to address childhood trauma grows. Our collective voice continues to be a critical role in this movement! Join advocates from across the state for the Iowa ACEs Policy Coalition's Day on the Hill! The day will kick off at 7:30AM in the Legislative Dining Room with individual and small group meetings with elected officials. Whether you are new to the capitol, or an experienced lobbyist, we welcome you to join us! More details on our priorities and a...

Donald Trump made fighting crime a central focus of his campaign for president, and he cited it again during his January 2017 inaugural address . His administration has since taken steps intended to address crime in American communities, such as instructing federal prosecutors to pursue the strongest possible charges against criminal suspects. Here are five facts about crime in the United States. 1 Violent crime in the U.S. has fallen sharply over the past quarter century. The two most...

This is the fourth post in our “3 Things to Know” series, an explanation of concepts influencing community mental health and our grantmaking. Check out others in this series on Health Equity , Social Determinants of (Mental) Health , and Well-being . Resilience is critical to health and mental health interventions. So critical that major public health institutions have developed frameworks to provide clarity about its definition and its role as a key determinant for a person’s, and a...

Stress comes with ordinary life, and it can be an effective teacher in developing coping skills and instilling resilience. Then, there is the toxic variety of stress, afflicting those living in severe poverty, involving trauma stemming from abuse, neglect and household dysfunction. The experience can leave a lasting mark on children in the form of physical and mental ailments long into adulthood, even reducing life expectancy. On Monday, the Center for Community Solutions released an...

The small city of Hudson is nestled in Upstate New York and home to fewer than 7,000 people. The city was hit hard by deindustrialization in the late 20th century, facing economic decline as factories closed and industry jobs left. In recent years development has surged, with the opening of antique stores, restaurants and art galleries. The city has become a popular destination for tourists and second-home owners. While our town is often celebrated as a story of revival, development has not...