Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to potentially traumatic events or environments a person may experience during their childhood. These experiences don’t always involve abuse; they can include anything from neglect to household dysfunction or significant loss. The critical takeaway is that ACEs can have profound effects on both the brain and body, physically shaping an individual’s biological responses and chemistry.
How Childhood Shapes Our Biology
ACEs impact more than just emotions – they influence biological systems that keep us alive, such as heart rate and stress responses. This physical impact is why understanding ACEs is so vital: the experiences we have as children matter deeply, not just in the moment but throughout our lives.
The concept of the ACE score was developed to help quantify and study these impacts. It examines how adverse experiences accumulate and affect a person’s health and well-being. However, the score itself leaves some unanswered questions: Does the age at which adversity occurs change its effect? For example, does losing a parent at six weeks old versus at age fourteen have a different impact on us later in life? While ACEs don’t provide this level of nuance, they remind us that early and ongoing life experiences play a critical role in shaping who we become.
From Awareness to Action
To help individuals better understand and address the impact of ACEs, and other trauma-related concepts, the Center for Child Protection offers the TRU (Trauma Responsive Unit) program, led by Chief Clinical Officer Miriam Jansky. This program equips participants with the knowledge and tools to recognize and respond to the effects of trauma, including learning about the ACE score and its implications. Whether participants are applying this understanding in their daily lives or in their work with children, the TRU program fosters a deeper awareness and actionable strategies for breaking cycles of trauma.
Carrying unresolved ACEs into adulthood can significantly affect relationships, employment, and overall quality of life. Recognizing and addressing ACEs – both in childhood and later in life – is a crucial step toward breaking cycles of trauma and building healthier, more supportive communities.
Understanding TRU
TRU has already graduated two cohorts, including law enforcement officers and child welfare professionals, with plans to expand through mentorship and community engagement.
This momentum ensures that trauma responsiveness can ripple across our community, enhancing collaboration and care.
By learning to respond instead of react, TRU graduates are shaping a future where trauma-informed care evolves into trauma-responsive action, making a lasting impact for the children and families who need it most.
Stay tuned as we continue to grow this transformative program, creating a stronger, more empathetic community for all.
For more information on TRU training, contact media@centerforchildprotection.org
