Effective Prevention in New Jersey

This prevention overview highlights just some of research that demonstrates the importance of implementing evidence-based prevention strategies and programs within all spheres of a child’s life. This toolkit highlights the research that informs and directs prevention work in New Jersey. It also introduces key concepts to educate those working with youth, their families and the communities in which they live, learn, and play.

important, what we are dealing with are the results of downstream thinking only; thinking upstream means making earlier strategic decisions about how we want our community to look and how to support youth, families and communities through effective prevention policies, programs and interventions. Upstream prevention enables people to experience physical, mental, and social well-being. Though the research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) dates back to 1995, it was recently discovered that ACEs affect not only children’s emotional development but also their long-term physical health. As an example, parents with a substance use disorder can cause ACEs in their child’s life and youth who experience ACEs are at higher risk of addiction. Because of this close intersection, key stakeholders across New Jersey have come together to identify prevention strategies and programs that are working to prevent ACEs from occurring in children’s lives as well as collaborating to provide supportive environments for children who have already experienced ACEs. This dual approach allows specific programs to address ACEs while also educating providers across systems about these experiences that can have a negative impact on children, parents, and communities.

Young people exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (stressful, traumatic events) are more likely to develop substance use disorders as adults. vi

emotional abuse & neglect

Children whose parents misuse drugs or alcohol are also at increased risk of experiencing other ACEs, including emotional abuse and neglect. vii

early alcohol use

ACEs often lead to an earlier age of initiation of alcohol use, viii a greater likelihood of serious problems with drugs ix and increased odds of attempting suicide. x

lower academic achievement

ACEs are also linked to social, emotional and cognitive impairment, lower academic achievement and lower educational attainment. xi

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