ACEs Aware is an initiative led by the Office of the California Surgeon General and the Department of Health Care Services to give Medi-Cal providers training, clinical protocols, and payment for screening children and adults for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Detecting ACEs early and connecting patients to interventions, resources, and other support can improve the health and well-being of individuals and families.
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In January 2020, California’s Office of the Surgeon General and the Department of Health Care Services launched ACEs Aware, an initiative aimed at giving Medi-Cal providers training, clinical protocols, and payment for screening children and adults for Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs. ACEs are stressful or traumatic events experienced in youth, identified to be strongly associated with increased health and social risks. Early detection and early intervention can help prevent or reduce the health risks associated with ACEs.
California has identified tools to screen pediatric and adult patients for the ten categories of ACEs and they are reimbursing health centers for screenings. As health centers prepare to incorporate this sensitive screening tool into clinical practice, they are learning new paradigms that promote a culture of safety, empowerment, and healing.
Implementing trauma-informed approaches within diverse multi-disciplinary health center ecosystems requires significant investment in re-shaping organizational structures, practices, and cultures so that staff are naturally prepared to respond to disclosures among their patients and the secondary effects for colleagues. CPCA is deeply committed to ensuring that health centers are resourced and equipped to begin this culture shift in advance of implementing a comprehensive patient-facing screening initiative.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress are a public health crisis. We can take action to change and save lives.
California is leading the way by training and providing payment to Medi-Cal providers for ACE screenings to significantly improve health and well-being across the state.
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