ACEs
The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences
3 credit hour Iowa license renewal course (What's this?)
Course Dates: September 13th to October 27th
(Registration is open!)
(Registration is open!)
Abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and dysfunctional households with substance abuse, mental illness, and even jailed family members are some of the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) a growing number of our students are trying to cope with and overcome. On top of these challenges, students have to deal with the trauma of COVID-19, The Derecho Storm, and events surrounding the murder of George Floyd. What we now know is that these traumas can have damaging and lasting consequences.
The ACE Study that began in the 1990’s and was one of the largest efforts to examine the effects of childhood trauma on future dysfunction, behavior, disease and even premature death. The stress associated with trauma takes its toll on the body and brain and affects learning, behavior and future health. Trauma research indicates a clear connection between traumatic events and deficits in language, communication, problem solving skills, emotional regulation, and forming healthy relationships. Additionally, trauma is connected to increased hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggressiveness and inability to concentrate. As educators, mentors, family members and perhaps victims ourselves, it’s vital that we understand the effects of ACEs.
ACEs: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences is a 3 hour Iowa license renewal course that introduces participants to ACEs, the associated risk factors, and keys to prevention and support. How a child’s brain is impacted by trauma, how toxic stress assaults the brain and what experts are saying needs to be done is key to this class. Participants will be able to interact with the ACEs test and evaluate how they not only see themselves but their students as well. Ideas to help educators help kids will be presented along with a message of hope.
The ACE Study that began in the 1990’s and was one of the largest efforts to examine the effects of childhood trauma on future dysfunction, behavior, disease and even premature death. The stress associated with trauma takes its toll on the body and brain and affects learning, behavior and future health. Trauma research indicates a clear connection between traumatic events and deficits in language, communication, problem solving skills, emotional regulation, and forming healthy relationships. Additionally, trauma is connected to increased hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggressiveness and inability to concentrate. As educators, mentors, family members and perhaps victims ourselves, it’s vital that we understand the effects of ACEs.
ACEs: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences is a 3 hour Iowa license renewal course that introduces participants to ACEs, the associated risk factors, and keys to prevention and support. How a child’s brain is impacted by trauma, how toxic stress assaults the brain and what experts are saying needs to be done is key to this class. Participants will be able to interact with the ACEs test and evaluate how they not only see themselves but their students as well. Ideas to help educators help kids will be presented along with a message of hope.
Organization
Course objectives will be met through instructor designed lessons and activities, supplemental readings and videos, discussions & tests. This course is presented in a modified, self-paced format. Participants are expected to access the course and post regularly (at least once a week) and make reasonable progress, but there are no due dates attached to individual assignments. Instead there are 2 absolute due dates (mid-term and the last day of class) to provide flexibility and to better accommodate participants' busy schedules.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will...
1. Know the history of ACEs research and the traumas it studies
2. Understand the ACE score is associated with future health and behavior risks
3. Understand how dysfunction develops from ACEs
4. Know how institutions, families, and educators can provide prevention and support
5. Understand the trauma associated with recent events (COVID-19, The Derecho Storm, & George Floyd) and how teachers and parents can and reduce/mitigate toxic stress
How Does This Course Support The Iowa Core?
According to the CDC, over 35 million children have experienced one or more adverse childhood traumatic event. Research links exposure to trauma with deficits in language, communication, problem solving skills, emotional regulation, and forming healthy relationships. Additionally, trauma is connected to increased hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggressiveness and inability to concentrate. This course gives educators an understanding of the serious effects associated with trauma and will provide them with additional tools to help students reach their potential and become proficient learners and thinkers. This falls in line with the Iowa Core that states school preparation should produce the following:
1. Students who are college and career ready in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language.
2. Students who are proficient in English, language arts, history, social studies, science, and technical subjects in all grade levels.
3. Students who are proficient in 21st century skills such as critical thinking/problem solving, curiosity, collaboration and leadership.
Course Topics
*The history of ACEs
*The 10 traumas of ACEs
*What is the ACEs Questionnaire?
*What are the risks associated with ACEs?
*How does dysfunction happen?
*How do ACEs connect to future health and behavior?
*Institutional/Systemic prevention and support
*What educators can do: strategies & resiliency
*Current Traumatic Experiences: COVID-19, The Derecho Storm, & George Floyd
Grading
This is a 3 credit hour Iowa license renewal only course. Grading is Pass/Fail. Students are required to participate in and complete all assignments and/or activities. Participants must earn scores of 80% or better to receive Pass score and receive credit.
Required Materials
All materials are provided online.
Course objectives will be met through instructor designed lessons and activities, supplemental readings and videos, discussions & tests. This course is presented in a modified, self-paced format. Participants are expected to access the course and post regularly (at least once a week) and make reasonable progress, but there are no due dates attached to individual assignments. Instead there are 2 absolute due dates (mid-term and the last day of class) to provide flexibility and to better accommodate participants' busy schedules.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will...
1. Know the history of ACEs research and the traumas it studies
2. Understand the ACE score is associated with future health and behavior risks
3. Understand how dysfunction develops from ACEs
4. Know how institutions, families, and educators can provide prevention and support
5. Understand the trauma associated with recent events (COVID-19, The Derecho Storm, & George Floyd) and how teachers and parents can and reduce/mitigate toxic stress
How Does This Course Support The Iowa Core?
According to the CDC, over 35 million children have experienced one or more adverse childhood traumatic event. Research links exposure to trauma with deficits in language, communication, problem solving skills, emotional regulation, and forming healthy relationships. Additionally, trauma is connected to increased hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggressiveness and inability to concentrate. This course gives educators an understanding of the serious effects associated with trauma and will provide them with additional tools to help students reach their potential and become proficient learners and thinkers. This falls in line with the Iowa Core that states school preparation should produce the following:
1. Students who are college and career ready in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language.
2. Students who are proficient in English, language arts, history, social studies, science, and technical subjects in all grade levels.
3. Students who are proficient in 21st century skills such as critical thinking/problem solving, curiosity, collaboration and leadership.
Course Topics
*The history of ACEs
*The 10 traumas of ACEs
*What is the ACEs Questionnaire?
*What are the risks associated with ACEs?
*How does dysfunction happen?
*How do ACEs connect to future health and behavior?
*Institutional/Systemic prevention and support
*What educators can do: strategies & resiliency
*Current Traumatic Experiences: COVID-19, The Derecho Storm, & George Floyd
Grading
This is a 3 credit hour Iowa license renewal only course. Grading is Pass/Fail. Students are required to participate in and complete all assignments and/or activities. Participants must earn scores of 80% or better to receive Pass score and receive credit.
Required Materials
All materials are provided online.