Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Child holding hand out

Together we CAN: CULTIVATE ACEs informed education, take ACTION to reduce the effects of ACEs and prevent child abuse, and promote and NURTURE protective factors.

WHAT are ACEs and WHY do they matter?

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that happen to children and are linked with changes in brain regulation caused by chronic stress. Research findings, across all demographics, show that children who live with childhood adversities - such as domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, parental incarceration, caregivers with mental illness or addiction - suffer much higher rates of chronic health conditions, lower school and adult success and lower life expectancy across their lives. ACEs can be compounded when low-income families face additional challenges accessing resources needed to buffer their children from such hardships.

Five of the ten ACEs are related to child abuse and neglect.

However, there is hope! By ensuring that families with adversity live in supportive communities and in the presence of nurturing, protective caregivers, children can build resilience and be protected from the negative impacts of adversity. With the right support and systems in place, ACEs can be overcome.

We Can Prevent ACEs

In 2017, Cook Children's, along with the office of Tarrant County Judge B. Glen Whitley, the office of City of Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, the office of Tarrant County Commissioner Roy C. Brooks, JPS Health Network and Read Fort Worth convened to form the ACEs Task Force. Using a two-generation approach, the focus of the Task Force is on reducing the impact of ACEs on children prenatal to five years of age and prevent ongoing adversity for families, in order to improve school readiness, literacy, and overall child well-being. This concept bridges decades of research across multiple disciplines into community action by seeking new strategies to help families connect with early, protective supports to promote their child's healthy development.

Our Team

Lenee Bassham, MSSW
Director, Child Safety

Jammie Josephson
Program Manager

Breanna Anderson, MSW
Program Manager

Frances Wampler, MA
Program Coordinator

Julien Ybarra, CHE
Program Coordinator

LaToya Jones, CHW
Community Health Worker

Events and education

The following trainings can be provided in person upon request and staff availability. To make a request, contact Jammie.Josephson@cookchildrens.org.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 101: This one hour training discusses the long term impact of ACEs on individuals and the community as well as considers strategies to prevent the impact of ACEs.
Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs): This one hour training discusses PCEs and how they are important to the emotional and physical well-being of a child.
Question Persuade Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training: Participants trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and hot to question, persuade and refer someone for help.
Trauma Informed Care Training for Professionals: This three hour training is designed for individuals working with children who have experiences trauma and discusses the impact of trauma on the community, children and the brain and body and the principles of trauma informed care and reducing triggers.
From chaos to calm: Trauma informed principles for supporting youth mental wellness: This one hour training for professionals discusses the impact of trauma on the brain and body, techniques for strengthening the caregiver/ child relationship, how to utilize coping skills for regulating emotions and applying tools for fostering child mental wellness.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 101: LIVE

60 mins. (Virtual - Live)

This live training hosted via zoom will define what Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are and identify key terms related to ACEs. Viewers will understand the long term impact of ACEs on individuals and the community as well as consider strategies to prevent the impact of ACEs. Additionally, the trainer will illustrate the difference between ACEs and Positive Childhood Experiences while also having the opportunity to interact and ask questions.

Child Abuse and Neglect 101

25 mins. (Virtual - Recording)

This educational video, presented by the Child Protective Services (CPS) Liaison at Cook Children’s Medical Center, is available for community professionals. This training will define types of child abuse and neglect and how to recognize the signs, as well as the process for reporting suspected abuse and what to expect from CPS after a report is made.

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The Current Status of Child Abuse and Neglect in Texas

19 mins. (Virtual - Recording)

This educational video, presented by the Child Protective Services (CPS) Liaison at Cook Children’s Medical Center, is available for community professionals. This training will identify the goals of CPS and Child Protective Investigations (CPI) in Texas as well as discuss current data related to child abuse and neglect and the process and requirements for reporting suspicions of abuse.

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Importance of Positive Childhood Experiences | For Providers || ACEs

30 min. (Virtual - Recording)

This is a short training developed for providers working with children and their caregivers to discuss Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), how important they are to the emotional and physical well-being, and also provide examples of how to nurture PCEs in the classroom or child-care setting.

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Importance of Positive Childhood Experiences | For Caregivers ||ACEs

13 min. (Virtual - Recording)

This is a short training developed for caregivers to discuss Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), how important they are to the emotional and physical well-being of a child, and also provide examples of how to nurture PCEs at home.

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 101

40 mins. (Virtual - Recording)

This recorded training will define what Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are and identify key terms related to ACEs. Viewers will understand the long term impact of ACEs on individuals and the community as well as consider strategies to prevent the impact of ACEs. Additionally, the trainer will illustrate the difference between ACEs and Positive Childhood Experiences.

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Raising Healthy Kids | Why my child needs regular check ups || ACEs

4 min. (Virtual - Recording)

If my child is not sick, why would I take them to the doctor? That’s a great question! Having a primary care pediatrician, or medical home, that you trust is important for your child’s overall health and well-being. In this video you will learn how often you need to take your baby or child to the doctor.

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Raising Healthy Kids | What to expect at a check up || ACEs

5 min. (Virtual - Recording)

If my child is not sick, why would I take them to the doctor? That’s a great question! Having a primary care pediatrician, or medical home, that you trust is important for your child’s overall health and well-being. In this video you will learn what to expect during these appointments and how your doctor can be a helpful resource for you as your child grows.

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Raising Healthy Kids | How to prepare for a check up || ACEs

5 min. (Virtual - Recording)

If my child is not sick, why would I take them to the doctor? That’s a great question! Having a primary care pediatrician, or medical home, that you trust is important for your child’s overall health and well-being. In this video you will learn what to expect during these appointments and how your doctor can be a helpful resource for you as your child grows.

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Report suspicion of abuse or neglect

If the child is in immediate danger, call 911. If you need to report a suspicion of abuse or neglect, call 1-800-252-5400 or for non-urgent reports go to txabusehotline.org.

Texas law requires that any person suspecting that a child has been abused or neglected must immediately make a report.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

WHAT are ACEs and WHY do they matter?

Five of the ten ACEs are related to child abuse and neglect.

Who is the ACEs Task Force?

Our Team

Events and education

Report suspicion of abuse or neglect