Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs)

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years) such as enduring or being exposed to abuse or neglect, familial violence, growing up in a family with mental illness, parental separation, or substance abuse. ACEs have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity.

ACEs can have negative, lasting effects on health, wellbeing, and opportunity. Exposures to traumatic events in childhood can disrupt a child’s healthy brain development, impact social and emotional development, and compromise immune systems. These children are often struggle to learn and complete schooling, at a higher risk of becoming involved in crime and violence, using alcohol or drugs, and engaging in unhealthy coping behaviors. They are susceptible to disease, illness, and mental health challenges, and can have difficulty forming healthy and stable relationships, struggle with finances, family, and jobs over their lifetime.

Infant-Toddler Mental Health (ITMH) project aims to promote healthy growth in young children’s social and emotional development by educating Family Child Care Providers and Early Childhood Educators on identify and address ACEs and mental health issues and their impact on infants-toddlers and their families. ITMH project will provide technical assistance and coaching on best practices for integration of ACEs with working knowledge of mental health to support children and their families.

For more information, please contact Infant-Toddler Mental Health Consultant and Program Supervisor, Ms. Amy Eng at 212-941-0030 ext.236