Effective Prevention in New Jersey

The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on children. Many children in the United States have experienced disruptions in school and childcare, leading to potential loss of learning and separation from school supports; isolation from friends, school, and so- cial settings; food insecurity and familial economic concerns; general fear and uncertainty; and potentially heightened substance use/misuse in the household. Focusing on reducing the harm from COVID and preventing additional ACEs among children through proven policies and in- terventions is especially important given the compound stress and potential trauma COVID has introduced. Otherwise, the lasting impact on health and social outcomes may be felt for decades to come. xxii

For more information on ACEs, please visit the site below and refer to sections above the work of the Office of Resilience: https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/ebp

CDC FRAMEWORK FOR PREVENTING ACES

HEALTH DISPARITIES & SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

STRATEGY

APPROACH

The following section outlines the impact of the Social Determinants of Health. This graphic highlights the concept of “the Pair of ACEs” (Ellis & Dietz, 2017) showing the individual and family Adverse Child Experiences and the Adverse Community Environment (Social Determinants of Health) that compound the adverse negative effects on our youth, families and communities.

Strengthen economic supports to families

• Strengthening household financial security • Family-friendly work policies

• Public education campaigns • Legislative approaches to reduce corporal punishment • Bystander approaches • Men and boys as allies in prevention

Promote social norms that protect against violence and adversity

• Early childhood home visitation • High-quality child care • Preschool engagement with family enrichment

Ensure a strong start for children

• Social emotional learning • Safe dating and healthy relationship skill programs • Parenting skills and family relationship approaches

Teach skills

Connect youth to caring adults and activities

• Mentoring programs • After-school programs

• Enhanced primary care • Victim-centered services • Treatment to lessen the harms of ACEs • Treatment to prevent problem behavior and future involvement with violence • Family-centered treatment for substance use disorder

Intervene to lessen immediate and long term harms

33

34