Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Screening and Resources
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences and what do they mean to me?
Adverse Childhood Experiences—also known as ACEs—can affect your and your family’s health. ACEs affect all communities. In fact, two-thirds of us have had at least one ACE.
ACEs are events that occur during childhood that can cause high levels of stress in your body and your brain. That stress is considered “toxic,” and can have life-long health effects if not recognized and treated.
There are 10 ACEs that we talk about. You may be asked to review this list and let our health care team know how many of these you or your child have experienced. This is known as the ACE “score”—it will help us do a better job of meeting your health care needs.
The Ten ACEs
In addition to the Ten ACEs, there are other factors that can contribute to toxic stress. Here are a few of those factors:
More than a Number
Having ACEs does not determine our futures—our stories are more than a number. The important thing is to identify and understand our ACEs and toxic stress, and then work to find ways to heal.
Research shows there are several things we can do to reduce the stress that we feel and prevent further health conditions from developing:
– Having healthy and supportive relationships with a parent, family member, or mentor
– Getting regular sleep
– Eating healthy food
– Spending time outside and in nature
– Getting regular exercise
– “Mindfulness” practices like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing
– Talking to a mental health professional
If you want to learn more about ACEs, what they mean for you, and what you can do to combat toxic stress and its health impacts, please visit NumberStory.org.
Visite NumberStory.org/es/ para recibir más información sobre las ACEs y el estrés tóxico, y lo que puede hacer para mejorar su salud.
ACEs SCREENERS:
Screeners in English:
Children (0-12yo, to be completed by parent)
Teen (0-12yo, to be completed by patient)
Adult (18yo+, to be completed by patient)
Screeners in Spanish:
Ninos (0-12yo, to be completed by parent)
Adolescente (0-12yo, to be completed by patient)
Adultos (18yo+, to be completed by patient)
Screeners in other languages: click here!
RESOURCES
Printable Resource Packets:
ACES Pediatric Packet (Spanish)
ACES Pediatric Packet (English)
West County Health Centers offer therapy and support groups on a range of topics.
Click here to visit our Wellness Center’s interactive group medical visit calendar and ask your Care Team for more information.
Local Mental Health Hotlines and Emergency Numbers:
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline)………………………………988
North Bay Suicide Prevention Hotline………………………………(855)587-6373
Sonoma County Suspected Child Abuse Hotline………………………………(707)565-4304
Sonoma County Emergency Mental Health Hotline………………………………(800)746-8181
Verity Sexual Assault Hotline………………………………(707)545-7273
YWCA Domestic Violence Services………………………………(707)546-1234
Crisis Stabilization Unit of Sonoma County………………………………(707)576-8181
ANAD Eating Disorders Helpline………………………………(888)375-7767
Social Advocates for Youth Crisis Hotline………………………………(888)729–0012
River to Coast Children’s Services………………………………(707)869-3613
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services
Sonoma County Alcoholics-Anonymous/Ala-Teen………………………………English (707)544-1300, Español (707)623-6702
Cocaine Anonymous………………………………(800)347-8998
Narcotics Anonymous………………………………(818)773-9999
Families Anonymous………………………………(800)736-9805
California Poison Control………………………………(800)222-1222
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline………………………………(800)622-4357
Alcohol Treatment Referral Hotline………………………………(800)252-6465
Center for Disease Control and Prevention ACEs Webpage
Dr. Nadine Burke, Harris, former Surgeon General of CA, TED Talk on ACEs
Local Mental Health Agencies
SAY (Social Advocates for Youth)
707-544-3299
Se habla español. Counseling services for children, adolescents or families who have Medi-Cal.
Petaluma People Services
707-765-8488
Se habla español. Counseling services are offered for children, adolescents, and families for a low sliding scale fee.
Humanidad – Therapy and Education Services
707-525-1515
Se habla español. Non-profit multicultural community mental health agency offering low-fee mental health services in Sonoma County.
Latino Service Providers
707-837-9577
Se habla español. Counseling resources, youth learning programs, mutual aid assistance for Latinx; youth and adult communities, immigrants, and agricultural workers.
Centro La Luz
707-938-5131
Se habla español. Group and Individual Counseling Services, financial aid, rent assistance, food, and other resources.
Verity
707-545-7270
Se habla español. Rape crisis intervention, trauma counseling, individual and family therapy, and support groups. Services based on sliding scale and are available in both English and Spanish.
Child Parent Institute
707-585-6108
No-cost counseling services for children from birth to 18 years including trauma treatment, mental health treatment, and family therapy.
River to Coast Children’s Services
707-869-3613
Offers resources, referrals, support and opportunities to child care providers, families and communities in western Sonoma County.
Jewish Community Free Clinic
707-585-7780
Offers short-term solution focused therapy at no cost to all members of the community.
Buckelew Programs
707-571-8452
The Family Service Coordination team provides a Resource Clinic every Tuesday from 3-4:30 pm and has several support groups for the loved ones of those who suffer with mental, behavioral, or situational challenges.
Life Works
707-568-2300 x106
Counseling services are offered for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families for a sliding scale fee. They also offer services for families dealing with substance abuse, and behavioral or emotional challenges.
Sonoma County Indian Health Project
707-521-4550
Counseling services offered to Sonoma County American Indians, as well as non-Indians with MediCal on a limited basis.
NAMI Sonoma County
866-960-6264
Support groups for those living with mental illness and their families/caregivers. Information and resources for mental health.
Sonoma Family Therapy
707-483-9061
Sliding scale offered for pre-licensed staff therapists, “superbill” option to submit to insurance companies for all other therapists.
PsychStrategies
707-303-3243
Therapists accept most major health insurance plans, but do not take Medi-Cal.