HELP ME GROW: What are ACES and How Can We Help Children Impacted by Them?

 

 

ACES is short for the term Adverse Childhood Experiences. ACES are events that a child experiences that have a negative impact on his or her life. ACES include abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. A growing child will struggle if he or she grows up in a negative environment. Children are at more risk of negative health outcomes when the number of ACES increases. (see chart below).

 

We all can work together to increase the likelihood that all Delawarean children and families can have bright futures. Health providers can use what they know about ACES to help families get appropriate supports. As a result of this research many providers are now thinking about what it means to provide trauma informed care or ensure that individual past experiences are considered when providing treatment or care in their practices. Talk about the importance of TIC (trauma informed care) with your peers. Parents and those who are thinking about starting a family need to understand how abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction harms everyone. Parents, families, and friends can support and inform one another about how to get help. Thankfully, the Help Me Grow/2-1-1 contact center makes finding help easy.

 

Dial 2-1-1 to reach Help Me Grow, a contact line in Delaware for families and all who serve and care for Delaware’s children. Help Me Grow is your one stop shop to finding almost any resource, support service, or program in Delaware to help you and your family thrive. When you call Help Me Grow, you will reach trained child development specialists. They will work with you to identify the support you need to raise a healthy child. The specialist will refer you to a program near you that can meet your needs. It’s like having a friend who knows all of the doctors, caregivers, and great resources near you. Concerned about cost? Help Me Grow is a free contact line available to all Delawareans and they can help you find other affordable resources too. The Help Me Grow experts will follow up and ensure that you got the help you need. Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a Help Me Grow expert today.