Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)
Kids First Foundation (KFF) of San Bernardino acknowledges the tremendous amounts of stress and trauma that occur in our world.
In providing services, we often look through the lens of trauma. From 1995 to 1997, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente conducted a research study on adverse childhood experiences (ACE). The study is one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse and neglect and household challenges and later-life health and well-being.
Over 17,000 members of Kaiser from Southern California receiving physical examinations completed confidential surveys regarding their childhood experience and current health status and behaviors. The ACE student questionnaire asks 10 questions. If the answer to any question is"yes", there is a score of 1. At the end of the questionnaire, the score is added up. Any score, 4 or more indicates the possibilities of impacting health.
The study concluded that our adverse childhood experiences influence our health in serious ways. KFF believes the sooner a person receives support (mental health treatment/support groups) for traumatic events in their lives, no matter their age, the greater possibility of changing the trajectory for the better.