NR 606 Week 7 ACEs Poster Presentation Assignment; ACEs and Trauma-Informed Care for Foster - Adoptive Parents

Final ACE Poster Informed Care for Foster/Adoptive Parents ACEs and Trauma - What are ACEs? Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are behaviors that a child experiences as hurtful, threatening, or violent before the age of 18 years (Finkelhor, 2020). These can be abuse, neglect, or some complicated home situations like one or both parents being an alcoholic or partners using violence at home. Types of ACEs Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse Emotional and physical neglect Family disruptions (alcohol and other drug use, parental divorce, living with violence) IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH Children exposed to ACEs are at higher risk for mental illness (anxiety, depression, PTSD) (Bomysoad & Francis, 2020). ACEs impact emotional development and can persist into adulthood, influencing substance use and suicidal behavior (Vig et al., 2020). ACEs can lead to emotional issues like self-destructiveness, aggression, and social isolation. TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE STRATEGIES FOR FOSTER/ADOPTIVE PARENTS Build emotional safety to ensure the child feels secure and understands their needs are important (Bomysoad & Francis, 2020). Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior and shape the child's self-image (Lotty et al., 2021). Coordinate with mental health workers to identify emotional challenges children face. IMPACT ON PHYSICAL HEALTH ACEs are linked to chronic physical health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes (Vig et al., 2020). ACEs affect the body’s stress response system and immune system, increasing vulnerability to illnesses. ACEs raise the risk of developing long-term diseases in adulthood (Vig et al., 2020). REFERENCES Bomysoad, R. N., & Francis, L. A. (2020). Adverse childhood experiences and mental health conditions among adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 67(6), 868-870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.04.013 Lotty, M., Bantry-White, E., & Dunn-Galvin, A. (2021). Trauma- informed care psychoeducational group-based interventions for foster carers and adoptive parents: A narrative review. Adoption & Fostering, 45(2), 191-214. https://doi.org/10.1177/03085759211012492 Finkelhor, D. (2020). Trends in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the United States. Child Abuse & Neglect, 108, 104641. Vig, K. D., Paluszek, M. M., & Asmundson, G. J. (2020). ACEs and physical health outcomes. In Adverse Childhood Experiences (pp. 71-90). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12- 816065-7.00005-7 SCREENING TOOL The ACE Questionnaire is a brief tool developed to identify the total number of ACEs a particular individual experienced in childhood. It consists of 10 questions that cover three primary concepts: emotional, physical, and sexual. https://www.rockefellerfoundation.or g/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ACE- Questionnaire.pdf