Introduction to ACEs:

Learn the impact of ACEs on early childhood brain development, health and well-being, the original ACE study and South Carolina ACE data, as well as strategies to empower communities to prevent ACEs.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur in a child’s life prior to the age of 18. This adversity can harm a child’s brain and its development, which can result in long-term negative health and social outcomes. ACEs include such experiences as (but are not limited to) emotional, physical and sexual abuse; domestic violence; substance use and mental illness of someone in the household; being separated from parents, including incarceration and divorce; food insecurity; and homelessness. 

Through the empowerment of communities, the South Carolina ACE Initiative helps children and families overcome the effects of traumatic experiences, prevent poor health outcomes and promote well-being later in life. Children’s Trust is training to increase awareness of ACEs and their impact, collecting and disseminating data, building a prevention planning framework, and promoting sound legislative policy to address ACEs in our communities. 

During this webinar Dr. Smith will discuss the research background and meaning of Adverse Childhood Experiences, the impact that ACEs have on physical and social-emotional development, as well as opportunities for building resilience.

 

Courtnie Smith, PsyD, currently works with both the University of South Carolina Institute for Families in Society and School Behavioral Health Team to assist with project coordination and management. Dr. Smith is a trained clinical psychologist, with experience in psychological assessment and therapeutic interventions with pediatric populations. Her most recent work has allowed her to broaden her experiences to include improving access to quality mental health services and resources for underserved populations and communities.

Target Audience: all providers/ practitioner working with parents and young children