One in seven children in the United States experiences child abuse and/or neglect each year, resulting in an array of adverse outcomes, including chronic pain, psychological concerns (anxiety, anger and aggression, depression, and suicidal thoughts or ideation), and poor or delayed social and behavioral development. There are a variety of risk factors surrounding child abuse and neglect including poverty, violence within the community, exposure to racism and discrimination, substance abuse, social isolation, and having caregivers who also experienced childhood adversity. Further, the trauma from these experiences can contribute to an intergenerational cycle of continued abuse and neglect. Child abuse and neglect has an estimated lifetime economic burden of over $590 billion nationwide – including short- and long-term health care and child welfare costs, criminal justice processes, special education costs, and lost productivity.
Published By:
Resource Type: Publications
Sectors: Early Childhood, Education, Health, Justice, Social Services

One in seven children in the United States experiences child abuse and/or neglect each year, resulting in an array of adverse outcomes, including chronic pain, psychological concerns (anxiety, anger and aggression, depression, and suicidal thoughts or ideation), and poor or delayed social and behavioral development. There are a variety of risk factors surrounding child abuse and neglect including poverty, violence within the community, exposure to racism and discrimination, substance abuse, social isolation, and having caregivers who also experienced childhood adversity. Further, the trauma from these experiences can contribute to an intergenerational cycle of continued abuse and neglect. Child abuse and neglect has an estimated lifetime economic burden of over $590 billion nationwide – including short- and long-term health care and child welfare costs, criminal justice processes, special education costs, and lost productivity.
Published By:
Resource Type: Publications
Sectors: Education, Health, Social Services

A two-part resource that addresses the prevalence and impact of trauma among LGBTQ youth and provides schools and community agencies with a framework and strategies for adopting a trauma-informed approach that considers the unique experiences and needs of LGBTQ youth.
Published By: National Resource Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention
Resource Type: Reports
Sectors: Education, Health

The federal Department of Health and Human Services released findings from their 2022 convening on primary prevention that highlight the importance of moving from tertiary and secondary prevention strategies to primary and primordial prevention strategies, including programs and policies that prevent adverse outcomes from occurring.
Published By: Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of Human Services Policy
Published Date: March 23, 2023
Resource Type: Reports
Sectors: Education, Health, Justice, Social Services

Authored by Pathways expert advisor Dr. Roy Wade, Jr, this research identifes and characterizes the range of adverse childhood experiences faced by young adults who grew up in a low-income urban area and explores additional community-level adversities not covered in the original ACE study, such as witnessing violence and experiencing discrimination.
Published By: American Academy of Pediatrics
Resource Type: Research
Sectors: Early Childhood, Health

Provides an overview of state programs that seek to prevent and address ACEs, and promote trauma-responsive practices and resilience.
Published By: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Resource Type: State Action Plans
Sectors: Health

This framework was developed in response to requests from concerned Alaskans across the state. It is a collaborative project of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, First Alaskans Institute, Alaska Afterschool Network, Alaska Mental Health Board, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Alaska Child Trauma Center, and Association of Alaska School Board’s Initiative for Community Engagement.
Published By: Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
Resource Type: State Action Plans
Sectors: Early Childhood, Education

This pamphlet presents findings from interviews with more than 450 residents and staff and 1400 organizational and individual trainings, and provides formative guidance and information about trauma-informed design principles and application.
Published By: Shopworks Architecture, Center for Housing and Homelessness Research at the University of Denver, and Group 14 Engineering
Published Date: 2021
Resource Type: Reports
Sectors: Design, Social Services

During the October 2022 convening of the Arizona House’s Ad Hoc Committee on Teen Mental Health, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) presented statewide data on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ADHS representatives noted that Arizona currently ranks 44th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia for number of children with two or more ACEs. Data from 2018 found that 18% of residents have experienced between 3 and 8 ACEs; and data from 2019-2020 illustrates that Arizona youth have a higher prevalence of ACEs in 10 out of 12 categories compared to nationwide averages. Arizona’s Department of Health Services has announced a three-part plan to reduce exposure to ACEs and mitigate the impacts of trauma and toxic stress on youth development.
Published By:
Resource Type: Publications
Sectors: Early Childhood, Education, Health

The NCJFCJ developed this protocol for promoting trauma-informed care in juvenile and family court settings. The document also includes recommendations for courts to become more trauma responsive.
Published By: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ)
Published Date: 2019
Resource Type: Judicial Action
Sectors: Justice