Effective Prevention in New Jersey

Introduction

According to Adverse Childhood Experiences: Opportunities to Protect, Prevent Against, and Heal from the Effects of ACEs in New Jersey :

A s part of the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Partnerships for Success (PFS) grant awarded to the State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), a key objective is to further strengthen and expand the prevention infrastructure throughout the State of New Jersey. To achieve this goal, DMHAS partnered with the DMHAS-funded Regional Prevention Coalitions (RCs) located throughout New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Children & Families (DCF), Children’s System of Care (CSOC).

“In New Jersey, where a high percentage of children have been exposed to adversity, the impacts of ACEs, economically and otherwise, are significant. In 2016, more than 40% of children (less than 18 years) in the state had experienced one or more ACEs, and more than 18% of children had experienced at least two. Among the state’s youngest children (under five- years-old), 33% had experienced one or more ACEs. ACEs, however, are not inevitable, nor do they have to determine the destiny of a child who experiences them. ACEs can be prevented, and when they do occur, concrete steps can be taken to help children heal...New Jersey has the potential to become a leader as a trauma-informed, healing-centered state, where children and families thrive, no matter who they are or where they live. Collaborative actions are required to help prevent, protect against, and heal from the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ”i

The DMHAS funded Regional Prevention Coalitions (RCs) network has extensive expertise and experience in the utilization of the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and the implementation of evidence-based environmental prevention strategies. DCF’s Children’s System of Care (CSOC), formerly the Division of Child Behavioral Health Services, serves children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral healthcare challenges and their families; children with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families; and children with substance use challenges and their families. CSOC provides services based on the needs of the child and family in a family-centered, community-based environment. This partnership brings together experts in order to ensure that statewide substance use prevention interventions and programs are brought directly to youth-serving entities that serve those who are at greater risk of substance use and to prevent the onset of and/or reduce the progression of substance use and its related problems.

40% NJ CHILDREN (UNDER AGE 18) WHO EXPERIENCED ONE OR MORE ACE

33% 18%

NJ CHILDREN (UNDER AGE 5) WHO EXPERIENCED ONE OR MORE ACES

This collaboration has two areas of focus: assessing the individual and family risk and protective factors that impact youth substance use in each county and the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their relationship to youth

substance use. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to improve the health and well-being of New Jersey’s youth and to reduce substance use by youth between the ages of 9 and 20.

NJ CHILDREN (UNDER AGE 18) WHO EXPERIENCED TWO OR MORE ACES

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