Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

2019-2021 ACEs Work Group Goals

Awareness

All sectors of Frederick County will recognize the impact of trauma on health from preconception through old age, and provide or support services for raising healthy children in safe, stable, nurturing environments. These sectors include healthcare, government, judicial and law enforcement, education, daycare, housing, employment, business, civic groups, religious groups, parent networks and more. 

Treatment and Intervention

An equitable community-wide system of trauma-informed care provides accessible evidence-based treatments from trained, knowledgeable and culturally literate specialists in adequate supply.

Prevention

All Frederick County residents receive evidence-based preventive and continuing education for raising healthy children in safe, stable, and nurturing environments.

What are ACEs?

ACEs are Adverse Childhood Experiences that happen to us before age 18. If we have certain experiences as kids, they can impact our lives as adults in many different ways. Trauma happens when stress becomes overwhelming and toxic to a child's growing brain, either from one serious event, or if stress is constant over time.

General Information for Frederick County

ALICE Report on Rising Cost of Living and Impact on Frederick County Households

Frederick County Youth Risk Behavior Survey


Additional Resources

Families

Service Providers

Business Leaders

Immediate Support and Assistance

Get Involved


Families



Service Providers

ACEs Connection

CDC's Veto Violence Website


Business Leaders

MHA-EarlyChildhoodDevelopment-Infograph

Strong Roots Grow a Strong Workforce

Simply put, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a tremendous impact on our health and the quality of our lives. ACEs can be prevented and we can have a workforce that is strong and vibrant in Frederick County, MD as a result.

Estimated Annual impacts of ACEs on Frederick County
Productivity Loss: $28.6 Million
Child Welfare Costs: $1.5 Million
Criminal Justice Costs: $1.5 Million
Special Education Costs: $1.6 Million
Childhood Health Care Costs $6.5 Million

Total costs for Frederick County of fatal & non-fatal child abuse $45.4 Million

ACE Events
Physical Abuse/Neglect
Emotional Abuse/Neglect
Sexual Abuse
Household Violence
Someone Being Incarcerated
Living in a Single Parent Household
Mental Illness

Benefits of Early Childhood Support
Increased Life Expectancy
Increased Work Attendance & Productivity
Reduction in Health Costs
Less Likely to Use Illegal Drugs

Solutions
High quality child care
Early childhood home visitations
Teach parenting skills to new parents
Offer evidence-based treatment
Income support for families

Immediate Support and Assistance

Call 211 for immediate access to mental health resources and a directory of local services.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Available 24 hours everyday): Call 1-800-273-8255 or chat online

Get Involved

What Are We Doing?

Frederick County is invested in working to reduce ACEs. The 2016 Local Health Improvement Plan identified ACEs as a community priority and there is a work group focused on ACEs. For more information, please see the Local Health Improvement Process page and look for the ACEs Action Plan or most recent presentation.

Want to Make a Difference? Join Us!

We know that ACEs are incredibly impactful in the life of a child. Together with our partners, we are committed to ending the adversities children at risk face. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved, please contact Pilar Olivo at POlivo@FrederickCountyMD.gov. For more information on the Local Health Improvement Plan for Frederick County and the ACEs Workgroup click here. To learn more information about the Interagency Early Childhood Committee (IECC) click here