ACEs symposium engages frontline staff at UAlbany

On March 27th, at the conclusion of the Second Annual Symposium on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Trauma, and Response, the over 500 assembled were able to ask keynote speaker, Dr. Robert Anda, and presenters David Wallace and Raymond Schimmer questions and get answers that they could immediately implement upon their return to their agencies, offices, and work with children and families.

The day began when UAlbany Provost James R. Stellar and CDPHP CEO Dr. John Bennett welcomed the audience reinforcing the impact that high ACE scores have on various health concerns as well as increasingly relevant research.

Dr. Anda, a co-author of the original ACEs Study addressed the audience with a lively presentation that provided evidence of how ACEs can influence adolescent health, substance abuse, sexual behavior, the stability of relationships, and work performance. Mr. Wallace, clinical director at LaSalle School, used Anda’s keynote as a springboard to talk about the practical application of the ACEs Study in everyday practice with young people and their families. After lunch, Raymond Schimmer, former chief executive officer of Parsons Child and Family Care Center, discussed policy and proposals affecting children suffering trauma and at risk for chronic conditions as a result.

  Before the symposium ended, Anda, Wallace, and Schimmer formed a panel to answer some 30 questions collected throughout the day from attendees. They included asking for advice on applying ACEs to adult behavioral health, how to determine the relationship between ACE scores and motivator manipulation, and why it seems that ACEs treatment is taking root more in the social work field than in other healthcare professions.

This Symposium was sponsored by CDPHP, The Counseling Center for LaSalle, COFCCA’s Center for Excellence, the University at Albany, the De La Salle Christian Brother’s District of Eastern North America, ACE Response, and The LaSalle School Foundation.

The ACE Study is an ongoing collaborative research project between the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, and Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, California. Data obtained from over 17,000 Kaiser patients volunteering to participate in the study revealed staggering proof of the health, social, and economic risks that result from childhood trauma. Co-principal investigators of the study are Dr. Anda, from the CDC, and Vincent J. Felitti, MD, with Kaiser Permanente.

LaSalle School is a leader in programs and services for youth and families in crisis offering a variety of programs designed to meet their needs including specialized residential placement, day service education, and alternative to detention services. The Counseling Center at LaSalle is an OMH licensed outpatient mental health clinic located at LaSalle School, and currently implementing ACE treatment practices with youth and families.