1. Adverse Childhood Experiences
ACES
Adverse Childhood Experiences

2. What are ACES? Range of childhood experiences that can lead to Impact
Trauma
toxic stress
Impact
brain development
physical development
social skills and interactions
mental development
Emotional development
Behavioral health
Overall well-being

3. National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH).
9 Assessed by NSCH
Somewhat often/very often hard to get by on income.
Parents divorced or separated
Parent/guardian died
Parent/guardian incarcerated or has been incarcerated
Witnessed violence in the home
Child is victim of violence
Lived with someone mentally ill, Suicidal, or depressed
Lived with anyone with alcohol or drug problem
Has been treated or judged unfairly due to race/ethnicity

4. National and Across-State Prevalence of ACEs among Children and Youth
46.3% of all children have at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (38.1%-55.9%)
21% have 2 or more. (15.0% to 30.6 %)
ACEs are also common across all income groups, though 58% of U.S. children with ACEs live in homes with incomes less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level
As income goes up, rates drop significantly

5. Impact on school success
More than three in four (76.3 percent) children ages 3-5 who were expelled (“asked to stay home”) from preschool had ACEs.
Children ages 6-17 with no ACEs are half as likely to be disengaged in school compared to those with 2+ACEs (24.1 percent vs percent).

6. Kansas and ACES
Research has led to the Mental Health Initiative in the Schools
Research has looked at the impact on Education in Kansas
Generational Poverty and Mobility show most impact on student learning in Kansas

7. Risk Factors Cumulative Poverty Chronic Absenteeism
Risk Factors that influence success
Cumulative Poverty
Chronic Absenteeism
Suspension and Expulsion
Mobility
ELL Population
Disabled Student Population
Percent of New Teachers

9. Starting with a class of 100 HS Freshmen
In Kansas, ON AVERAGE…
86 will graduate HS
56 will enroll in a 2-yr or 4-yr postsecondary institution
46 will complete 1 year of college and return the 2nd year, or have completed their certificate or degree
32 will complete a postsecondary degree or credential in 6 years
With 71% of all jobs in Kansas requiring some college or above, what are the 68 students not completing a credential 6 years after HS going to do????
This is why career education/exploration is so important for K-12, it’s the only way to close this large gap
5 minutes

10. How do we help children with ACEs?
Build Resilience within children
Positive family communications, routines, and habits
Supportive communities
TRUST and Relationship building
Availability of mental health care

11. Adverse Childhood Experiences Linkages
Adverse Childhood Experiences have been linked to
Risky health behaviors,
Chronic health conditions,
Low life potential, and
Early death.