Adverse Childhood Experiences

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Adverse Childhood Experiences:

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic experiences that occur before age 18, including abuse, neglect, and household challenges. Exposure to ACEs can increase the risk of negative health, behavioral, and life outcomes later in life.

FACTS ABOUT ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES

ACEs—commonly defined as 10 types of child abuse, neglect, and family exposure to toxic stress — are a complex population health problem with significant detrimental outcomes. The ACEs are

(1) emotional abuse

(2) physical abuse

(3) sexual abuse

(4) emotional neglect

(5) physical neglect

(6) mother treated violently

(7) household substance abuse

(8) household mental illness

(9) parental separation or divorce and

(10) incarcerated household member.

Trauma: A traumatic event is a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or bodily integrity. Witnessing a traumatic event that threatens the life or physical security of a loved one can also be traumatic. This is particularly important for young children as their sense of safety depends on the perceived safety of their attachment figures.

Research Says: Adverse childhood experiences are common and have a tremendous impact on health and social outcomes. As such, they present a clear public health challenge with implications for the entire lifespan and every domain of health and wellbeing. They also present a critical opportunity for prevention, not only of the childhood adversity itself, but the host of negative physical, behavioral, and mental health outcomes that follow.

JASPER COUNTY’S FACTS AND STATISTICS

Jasper County faces major challenges that affect youth and families.

Economic

28% of children live in poverty (state avg: 20%)

14.8% live in households where parents are not in the labor force

27.6% of homeowners spend 30%+ of income on housing

Education Gaps

80.1% of 3rd graders struggle in English/Language Arts

88.8% of 8th graders struggle in math

Urgent need for early intervention

Health & Safety

Teen death rate: 190.7 per 100,000 (much higher than the state)