ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
An Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) is a potentially traumatic event that occurs before the age of 18 and can have lasting effects on a person’s health, development, and well-being.
ABUSE
Emotional
Physical
Sexual
NEGLECT
Emotional
Physical
HOUSEHOLD DYSFUNCTION
Divorce
Domestic
Violence
Substance
Abuse
Poor Mental
Health
Family
Incarceration
In addition to the ten primary ACES, many public health models now also recognize a series of expanded ACES
Community
Violence
Racism/
Discrimination
Bullying
Homelessness/
Poverty
Traumatic
Medical
Procedures
FOSTER
CARE
The practice of placing children in foster care due to an incident of domestic violence immediately increases the number of ACES that child must overcome, and statistically multiplies the number of ACES they will be exposed to over time.
​
ADULTS
ADULTS
ADULTS
FORMER FOSTER YOUTH
17.3%
28%
52%
80%
1+
2+
4+
6+
REPORTED ACE COUNTS
Studies show that being placed in foster care is likely to exacerbate the impact of
pre-existing trauma and increase the diversity and frequency of further ACEs encountered.
THE MORE ACES A PERSON HAS, THE MORE LIKELY THEY ARE TO:
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
AVERAGE
LIFESPAN
Engage in risky behaviors (unsafe sex, overeating)
Have trouble in school, work, or relationships
Experience addiction (alcohol, drugs, smoking)
Struggle with mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSD)
Face financial or housing instability
Develop heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, stroke, and other chronic health problems
Attempt or think about self-harm or suicide
Die earlier than people with fewer or no ACEs
Child welfare agencies often require the parent's completion of an ACEs course as a condition for family reunification.
The core principles of ACEs philosophy uphold that it is significantly more traumatizing to be separated from a loving caregiver immediately after a traumatic event, deprived of the protective comforts of home, and placed in an unfamiliar environment under the care of strangers than it is to simply witness domestic violence.