College of Public Health

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Two young sad-looking children sitting by an outdoor gray wall.. Boy is comforting the girl while looking at the camera. Girl is sitting with her head in her arms.

adverse childhood exPERIENCEs

ACEs are traumatic events during childhood such as abuse, neglect, and witnessing violence in the home or community.

Our Research and Practice Action Teams (RPATs) are topical areas of focus.  

ACEs can dramatically disrupt a child’s sense of safety and stability and wellbeing and can include growing up in a household with substance use and mental health problems, experiencing homelessness and lack of food to eat, and discrimination. ACEs are linked to physical health and mental health problems and other challenges later in life. 

Our ACEs team includes a UI Research Team Lead and a Practice Team Lead:   

Kid playing with mother in public park

Resilience and Trauma-Informed Perspectives

The UI Promote Resiliency Initiative aims to increase education, research, and awareness of ACEs on campus. The UI offers a undergraduate Certificate in Resilience and Trauma-Informed Perspectives.