Policy Resolution CYF-20-34

WHEREAS, Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs are stressful or traumatic experiences, such as abuse, neglect and family dysfunction that disrupt the safe, stable, nurturing environments that children need to thrive;

WHEREAS, abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction can cause stress during childhood that is especially harmful to the developing brain;

WHEREAS, childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous impact on an individual’s life in a number of areas, including lifelong health and opportunity;

WHEREAS, ACEs have been linked to risky health behaviors, chronic health conditions, low life potential, and early death;

WHEREAS, ACEs can have lasting effects on adulthood disease, disability and social functioning;

WHEREAS, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kaiser Family Foundation found that persons who had experienced four or more categories of childhood exposure, compared to those who had experienced none, were four to twelve times more likely to experience health risks for alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, and attempt suicide;

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that, in 2016 alone, more than 19,000 people in the United States were victims of homicide and nearly 45,000 people took their own lives; many others also survive violent acts and have permanent physical and emotional scars; and

WHEREAS, building strong foundations through investment in high-quality, evidence-based early intervention programs are critical to the growth of children.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) encourages local education authorities, schools, hospital, health systems, non-profits that work with children, law enforcement, first responders, social workers, and other applicable organizations to develop an evidence-based training program on ACEs for leaders and other employees to include:

• the effects of ACES on a child’s mental, physical, social, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive development,
• ACE’s as a risk factor for the development of substance abuse disorders and other at-risk health behaviors,
• trauma-informed principles and practices for classrooms, physicians’ offices, hospitals, extra-curricular activities, daycare, emergency situations, social services, and other activities,
• how early identification of children exposed to one or more ACEs may improve educational outcomes;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL encourages improving the lives of children by decreasing adverse childhood experiences and encourages local education authorities, the medical community, first responders, social services, non-profits, and others to develop an ACEs training programs; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the Unites States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials and agencies as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Senator Raumesh Akbari (TN)
  
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Children, Youth, and Families Policy Committee
  
• Certified by Committee Co-Chairs: Representative Robin Shackleford (IN) and Representative Pebblin Warren (AL)
  
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 6, 2019
  
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), President