Adverse Childhood Experiences

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

Traumatic events that happen in childhood can deeply define a person’s life. ACEs are typically centered around neglect, abuse, or household dysfunction. These experiences undermine a child’s sense of safety, stability, and relationships with others.

Adverse Childhood Experiences by The Numbers

3 in 5

3 in 5 Georgia adults experienced at least one adverse event during childhood.

$147 bn

Traumatic events cost the United States an estimated $147 billion in 2020.

1/3

One-third of U.S. adults experience symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Those who have experienced ACEs are more likely to experience longer-term physical ailments such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, obesity, and suicide.

See what they feel…

Mental Illness

Homelessness

Divorce

Incarceration

Neglect

Violence

Abuse

Death

Addiction

Adverse Childhood Experiences

We Can Act to Mitigate The Impact of Trauma

One effective way to respond to trauma and prevent future ACEs is to become trauma-aware through training. There is a wide range of courses to help you to better understand childhood trauma and become an advocate for children in our community.

Our goal is to change the question from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”

The HOPE framework recognizes that positive experiences help children grow into healthier adults.

The 4 building blocks each provide the foundation for healthy childhood development.

In 2024, the HOPE framework has been the backbone of Cobb Collaborative’s work.

The Four Building Blocks of HOPE

four building blocks
Science,,Portrait,And,Group,Of,Children,With,Happiness,At,Convention,

The Four Building Blocks of HOPE provide an accessible, actionable way of talking about the key types of PCEs:

Relationships

Safe and supportive relationships within the family and with other children and adults.

Environment

Safe, equitable, and stable environments where children can live, learn, and play.

Engagement

Opportunities for social and civic engagement to develop a sense of belonging and connectedness.

Emotional Growth

Opportunities for emotional growth where children feel supported through difficult events and emotions.

Developing a Trauma-Informed Community

Developing a trauma-informed community involves a cross sector collaboration of stakeholders, residents, and community partners to improve the wellbeing of the children and families residing here in Cobb County.

icon-goal

Goal

To increase awareness of trauma and provide resources to equip the community to prevent and intervene in Adverse Childhood Experiences.

icon-partners

Partners

  • Nonprofits
  • Educators
  • Public Agencies
  • Faith Leaders
  • Governments
  • Parents
  • Healthcare
icon-tools

Tools

  • Trainings
  • Film Screenings
  • Community Events
  • Educational Programs
  • Digital Resources
  • Toolkit
icon-outcomes

Outcomes

  • Increased awareness of ACEs
  • Incorporation of trauma-informed practices
  • Well-equipped parents and caregivers
  • Children succeeding in school
  • Thriving families and improved community health

Resiliency is Vital to Overcoming Trauma

Even when adversity happens, children can still become healthy, happy adults by building resilience. We can protect children against physiological damage by fostering resilience through:

  • Close relationships with competent caregivers or other caring adults
  • Caregiver’s use of positive parenting skills
  • Having a sense of purpose through faith, culture, identity, etc.
  • Gaining skills and competencies like problem-solving and autonomy
  • Opportunities to connect socially
  • Practical and available support services for parents and families
  • Communities that value people and support health and personal growth
pca cobb

The Cobb Collaborative leads the Cobb County council for Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. We work with other organizations to build awareness and prevention of childhood abuse and neglect in our community.

Upcoming Mind Your Mind Events

December 17

Virtual Mandated Reporter Training

10:00 am-11:30 am
View Event
January 23

Virtual Mandated Reporter Training

3:00 pm-4:30 pm
View Event
February 3

Resiliency Week

12:00 am-11:59 pm
View Event
February 20

Virtual Mandated Reporter Training

8:30 am-10:00 am
View Event