Connect

Care & Support

header-img

What are ACEs?

Adverse Childhood Experiences are traumatic events that occur during childhood (0-17). They have lasting, negative effects on health, well-being, and opportunity. The initial CDC study identifies 10 ACEs— which were focused mainly on adversities in the home — and divides them into 3 categories as follows:

Each event you have experienced counts as 1 point:

  1. Abuse
    a.    Physical
    b.    Emotional
    c.    Sexual
  2. Neglect
    a.    Physical
    b.    Emotional
  3. Household Dysfunction
    a.    Mental Illness
    b.    Incarcerated Relative
    c.    Mother Treated Violently
    d.    Substance Abuse
    e.    Divorce



More Info on ACEs

Extra Calming Tools

Introduction to Childhood Trauma Modules

Module 1 (40 Minutes)

What is Trauma?
Introduction to childhood trauma, definition of trauma, role of the church in trauma, and introduction to adverse childhood experiences. Calming tool: Diaphragmatic and coherent breathing.

Slide instructions.



Begin Module 1 Module 1 Materials

Module 2 (30 Minutes)

How Do Our Bodies Respond to Trauma?
Our bodies respond to stress in various ways.
Calming tool: The 5-4-3-2-1 game.

Begin Module 2 Module 2 Materials

Module 3 (65 Minutes)

Adverse Childhood Experiences Study
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with higher risk for substance abuse, mental health disorders, chronic physical health issues, and shorter lives.
Calming tool: The butterfly hug.


Begin Module 3 Module 3 Materials

Module 4 (12 Minutes)

Adverse Babyhood Experiences
Adverse babyhood experiences. Infant and maternal complications and diseases have been linked to negative events before, during, and after birth.

Begin Module 4 Module 4 Materials

Module 5 (60 Minutes)

How Do ACEs Impact Brain Development?
Trauma impacts brain development. We can prevent ACEs.
Calming tool: Trauma-tapping technique.

Begin Module 5 Module 5 Materials

Module 6 (30 Minutes)

How Do ACEs Impact Future Generations?
ACEs can be passed on to future generations.
Calming tool: Task visualization.

Begin Module 6 Module 6 Materials

Module 7 (63 Minutes)

Helping Children Heal
Children can heal from childhood trauma with appropriate interventions.
Calming tool: Focus on the 5.



Begin Module 7

Module 7 Materials More Module 7 Materials

Module 8 (70 Minutes)

Interventions & Treatment Options
Children can learn to self-regulate. The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics provides the foundation of treatment. Calming tool: Item listing.



Begin Module 8

Module 8 Materials More Module 8 Materials

Module 9 (40 Minutes)

Wrap up & Next Steps
A review of the thirteen R’s of trauma-informed care and healing from childhood trauma, wrap up, and next steps.

Begin Module 9 Module 9 Materials