Adverse Childhood Experiences

It is estimated that the United States loses about $168 billion per year in productivity due to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)-related absences from work and low productivity while at work. ACEs are stressful or traumatic events that occurred in an adolescent’s life that can affect development and cause health problems if unaddressed.

People that receive a high ACEs score are far more likely to:

• Be alcoholics
• Use illicit drugs
• Smoke
• Have cancer
• Have diabetes
• Have ischemic heart disease
• Be a teen parent
• Perform poorly at work
• Have poor academic achievement
• . . . and many more

Rubén Peralta, GCACH’s community and tribal engagement specialist, attended a workshop in Yakima focusing on ACEs and trauma-informed care. Topics covered during the conference included: the importance of trauma-informed staff training, best practices, policies and procedures for trauma-informed care, and much more!