Christine Norbut Beyer, MSW, is the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.  

I first began my journey to understanding ACEs and trauma-informed care just over 10 years ago. My introduction started when I became a strategic consultant in Wisconsin for Casey Family Programs, working with then-First Lady Tonette Walker on her signature initiative to make Wisconsin the first trauma-informed state. We accomplished many things in those six years, but one of my first and most important assignments was bringing Dr. Bruce Perry to Wisconsin to present to, and meet with, leaders, including the Governor and First Lady.   

I had a great six years and learned so much that continues to drive my ideas, daily work, and leadership style today. My final effort there was planning and hosting an in-person convening for 11 First Spouses in Milwaukee to introduce them to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed care, and encourage them to consider how trauma-informed principles and practices could be incorporated into each of their own signature initiatives. This convening was similar to our Pathways 2023 State Leaders in Trauma & Resilience Roundtable. Now, since my appointment as Commissioner here in New Jersey, advancing the understanding and response to ACEs has continued to be one of my top priorities.     

Addressing Systemic Issues at their Root

As the state’s child and family serving agency, the NJ Department of Children and Families (DCF) recognizes that the issues afflicting families most often stem from unresolved trauma and adversity. Families carry the pain of trauma, from generation to generation, manifesting it in a variety of ways, without them even realizing it. That is why it’s not enough to focus on treating the effects; we have to get to the root cause.    

There’s an adage that claims, “You can’t solve that which you can’t face.” This is especially true when we are referring to ACEs. If we don’t recognize and understand ACEs and how they can deeply affect a child, a parent, the entire family unit, even the entire community, we will repeat the same cycles and the same mistakes. That’s a risk we can’t take as individual states, as child welfare systems, and more importantly, as a loving and caring society.      

The science of ACEs tells us that a high level of adversity can—but doesn’t always—increase the likelihood for poor social and physical health outcomes later in life. It also tells us that adversity doesn’t always lead to trauma, and trauma doesn’t always lead to negative outcomes. We know that the presence of just one caring adult in a child’s life can make a world of difference.     

Centering PACEs in New Jersey  

The work around ACEs in New Jersey began with a collaboration between three philanthropic partners and DCF. Through this partnership and financial support, we created the first Office of Resilience, recruited and hired an Executive on Loan, and created a statewide ACEs Action Plan—that we now refer to as the NJ PACEs Action Plan. We also launched a public sector interagency team that included the Office of the First Lady Tammy Murphy and nine state agencies so that we could begin to systemically and systematically address ACEs.     

We later developed a statewide campaign to raise public awareness among educators and the law enforcement community about ACEs and the simple actions that can make a positive impact. We conducted ACEs training for staff across DCF, as well as system partners, educators, law enforcement and community organizations. To date, we have trained thousands of New Jerseyans on ACEs, trauma-informed care and why connections matter.   

In partnership with Stockton University, we also hosted the NJ People’s Gathering last September. The purpose of the virtual two-day conference was to bring community members to the table to help cultivate healing after several years of the collective trauma experienced from the COVID-19 pandemic, economic stressors, racism, gender-based discrimination, and political polarization.    

We are also funding community-driven solutions and programs through the launch of the DCF community microgrants. Now in the second round of funding, these microgrants have been awarded to forty-eight organizations statewide with the goal to help prevent or mitigate ACEs and promote the opportunity for children to experience positivity in their young lives.   

Most recently we have launched a police-youth initiative in areas of New Jersey with some of the poorest health outcomes and quality of life statistics in the state. The goal of the initiative is to increase community engagement and strengthen relationships with youth and law enforcement to create a space for trust within the community.    

Just Getting Started  

Through the leadership of the Office of Resilience Executive Director and Pathways Expert Advisor Dr. Rebecca Bryan and her staff, we are continuing to make incredible advances in profound and far-reaching ways. Yet even with all our efforts, we know that this work has truly just begun. Because we understand that certain factors in a child’s life can mitigate the effects of adversity and trauma, we’ve shifted our focus from solely ACEs to PACEs, meaning Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences. It is all about the spectrum of experience and how that develops strength and resiliency in a person.   

We know that healing-centered practices are not, and cannot, be limited to the child welfare agency. ACEs are cross-cutting. Their impact on youth and adults affects schools, health systems, the justice system, and the economy—virtually every aspect of society. Because of this, we know that this important work requires dedicated individuals from every sector of society. We all have a stake, and we can all play a part.   

For more from the Roundtable, read our Key Takeaways and Delaware First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney’s remarks on building hope and resilience.