Policy Resolution EDU-19-21

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

WHEREAS, a strong foundation in the early years improves the odds for positive outcomes, and a weak foundation increases the odds of later difficulties;

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

WHEREAS, providing safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for children promotes healthy self-esteem and strong interpersonal skills.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) encourages local education authorities and schools to develop an evidence-based training program on ACEs for school leaders and teachers to include: the effects of ACEs on a child’s mental, physical, social, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive development; ACEs as a risk factor for the development of substance abuse disorders and other at-risk health behaviors; trauma-informed principles and practices for classrooms; 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 to develop an ACEs training program to make available to school personal; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NBCSL send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Representative Raumesh Akbari (TN)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Education Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair(s): Assemblymember Shirley Weber (CA) and Representative Harold Love (TN)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is November 30, 2018
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gregory W. Porter (IN), President