The Children’s Bureau hosted a webinar, “Thriving and Healthy Kids: We All Have a Role to Play in Promoting Positive Childhood Experiences,” on April 23, 2024. Dr Mandy Cohen from the CDC stated that positive childhood experiences provide safety, stability and bonding, and are related to improved health, while, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) disproportionately affect families of color and have deleterious long-term effects. Two approaches to ACEs are prevention and building resilience. The CDC employs a two-pronged approach to ACEs. First, the CDC shares expertise such as findings that early childhood visitation is helpful for reducing ACEs. Second, CDC provides resources to help communities collect their own data about both ACEs and positive childhood experiences to implement effective evidence-based interventions.
Jeff Hild, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) indicated that the need for ACEs prevention and the promotion of positive childhood experiences are backed by science. ACF takes a whole family, cross sector approach to ACEs intervention. Due to the history of the race-based disproportionality of ACEs, ACF focuses on equitable solutions, authentic partnerships with people with lived experiences and power-sharing. Further, Hild highlighted the Biden-Harris agenda: affordable child-care, kinship care, a living wage for HeadStart teachers, safe placement for LGBTQIA+ children, and grants for innovation through the Family First Act.
Paula Bibbs- Samuels, Parent Advocate, emphasized that ACEs are not deterministic. Further, Bibbs-Samuels stated that when communities are provided with the right resources, they can effectively address ACEs. Similarly, Melissa Merrick, PCA America, indicated that prevention can be accomplished through partnerships that ensure families have what they need prior to crisis without stigma. Also, the only way to know the clients’ needs is by listening to them and engaging in co-creation of interventions. Further, Sandy Chung, Pediatrician, posited that pediatricians have a role in addressing ACES through trauma-informed relational care. Finally, Valerie Frost advocated for creating ordinary daily and luxury positive experiences for all children. There was general consensus that meeting families’ needs will reduce child welfare involvement. Resources included Trauma-Informed Care, Evidence-Based Prevention, and VETO Violence trainings.
By Aretha Shalanda Campbell and Bayley Levine, Policy Interns
