NPPC Kicks Off Second Cohort of Childhood Adversity Screening Pilot Site Program

Program seeks best practices for clinical implementation of ACEs screening in diverse healthcare settings

The National Pediatric Practice Community on Adverse Childhood Experiences (NPPC), an initiative of the Center for Youth Wellness, today announced the launch of a second cohort for its ongoing pilot site program designed to determine best practices for screening and treating children for exposure to childhood adversity and trauma. Like the 2017-18 cohort, the 2019 cohort represents a diverse group of healthcare delivery models, which will help further broaden the field’s understanding of the factors that enable healthcare organizations to successfully implement screening and enhance the quality of patient care and health outcomes.

“Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, affect every community across socio-economic lines, making universal ACEs screening essential for preventing and treating the negative health effects of adversity and trauma,” said Leena Singh, DrPH, MPH, NPPC’s program director. “However, we realize that integrating yet another screen into a busy clinic’s workflow can be challenging operationally and administratively – and that’s why we’re working with a variety of pediatric practices to understand what it takes to be successful and sharing this information and data with NPPC members.”

Pilot sites were selected based on criteria including multiple factors associated with readiness and capacity to screen, including leadership support, data/electronic health record (EHR) sophistication, and access to resources such as mental and behavioral health services for patient referrals. 

The pilot sites in NPPC’s program receive a stipend as well as tailored clinical quality improvement coaching to facilitate the adoption of an ACEs screening protocol relevant to the site’s healthcare delivery model and patient population. The four pilot sites include:

• Blank Children’s Hospital: A 14-provider, hospital-based pediatric clinic embedded in a community-based teaching hospital in Des Moines, IA
• Charles Henderson Child Health Center: A non-profit clinic/community health center that includes pediatric dentistry in Troy, AL
• PriMed Physicians, Wright Dunbar Office: A multi-specialty group practice in Dayton, OH
• Rural Tribal Health Center: A tribal clinic/community health center with an associated school-based health center in Washington state.

About Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase risk for toxic stress and negative health outcomes and include exposure to abuse, neglect, domestic violence, parental mental illness and substance abuse, as well as other adversities including food insecurity, housing instability and discrimination. Exposure to ACEs can affect brain development, hormonal and immune systems, and even change DNA, leading to behavioral problems, learning difficulties, and physical health issues. For more information, visit centerforyouthwellness.org.

About The National Pediatric Practice Community on Adverse Childhood Experiences

The National Pediatric Practice Community on Adverse Childhood Experiences (NPPC) is a peer group of pioneering pediatric-serving medical practitioners supporting each other in expanding knowledge, building capacity, and shaping the field of ACEs research and trauma-informed care. The NPPC is part of the Center for Youth Wellness’ national effort to transform clinical understanding and practice for children exposed to early adversity and toxic stress. As a three-year initiative, the NPPC has the goal of supporting 1,000 pediatric medical providers in making ACEs screening and intervention part of their routine clinical practice. nppcaces.org.

About The Center for Youth Wellness  The Center for Youth Wellness (CYW) is part of a national effort to revolutionize pediatric medicine and transform the way society responds to kids exposed to significant adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress. In partnership with Bayview Child Health Center in San Francisco, CYW screens every young person for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). CYW also works to pilot treatments for toxic stress and share its findings nationally. CYW prevents toxic stress by raising awareness among those who can make a difference, including parents/caregivers, pediatricians and policy makers. For more information, visit centerforyouthwellness.org and stresshealth.org.