Strengthening Families Overview Michelle Burkhard BS, MA in ECE, PhD Candidate, MOM OF 3! growby1@gmail.com www.growby1.com

Purpose ACE’s Protective Factors Parent Cafes Inspiration

ACE Study Overview Study population Common Results of exposure - development - disease - social Additional studies

ACE’s Pyramid/Results

ACE Test 5 personal questions 5 questions about others Not inclusive ACE’s do not = negative outcomes

Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often… Swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you? (OR) Act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt?

Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often… Push, grab, slap, or throw something at you? (OR) EVER hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?

Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you EVER… Touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way? OR attempt or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you?

Did you often or very often feel that… No one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special? OR your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?

Did you often or very often feel that… You didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you? (OR) your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor in you needed it?

Were your parents ever separated or divorced?

Was you mother or stepmother: Often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her? (OR) Sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard? (OR) EVER repeatedly hit at least a few minutes or threated with a gun or knife?

Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic or who used street drugs?

Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide?

Did a household member go to prison?

GOOD NEWS! Protective factors trump ACE’s EVERY TIME! SF builds in PF’s…

George’s ACE’s George and twin, anemic mom, formula allergies, dairy at 3 months George often physically abused as a form of punishment, left marks and injuries At age of 4, George sexually abused by grandfather, later by uncle Family moved 5 times before George was 6 years old George often felt alone, experienced emotional neglect Father between jobs, little income, family often hungry Mother attempted suicide when George was two during a period of grief

George’s ‘Issues’ Severe allergies and often unhealthy as a child Chronic bronchitis and pneumonia by 7 In college- suicide attempt Diagnosed with asthma at 25 Suffered a mini stroke at 33 Diagnosed with diabetes at 36 Several near death medication reactions

ACE’s Pyramid/Results

Protective Factors Parental Resilience- growing through hard times Social Connections-making friends Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development Concrete support in times of need Social and emotional competence of children

Parent Café Questions 5 questions Choose One Discuss Report Out Debrief

George’s Protective Factors Family always involved in church Parents- teachers, some child development Often took assistance from the church, food pantry’s, or family for food and clothing Several teachers along the way took an interest in George Very involved in school, sports, and activities in high school and college Went to school to be a teacher

George….

Blind Man Video

Conclusion Questions? growby1@gmail.com www.growby1.com