The Office of the California Surgeon General and the California
Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will host a live
informational webinar on Wednesday, February
26, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM. The webinar will provide
an overview of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Aware
Initiative, why providers should screen for Adverse Childhood
Experiences (ACEs); the Medi-Cal certification and payment
process; and screening tools, clinical protocols, and resources
for providers.
The ACEs Aware Initiative is a California effort to have
providers screen for childhood trauma. Research has shown that
ACEs may be the underlying cause of significant health conditions
associated with toxic stress, such as heart disease, stroke, and
diabetes. The ACEs screening is designed to provide physicians
with the important patient history to better determine the
likelihood of an increased health risk. The screening will assist
providers in delivering trauma-informed care, and connecting
patients with the resources and supports necessary to combat
physical, behavioral, and environmental health concerns.
Recent budget proposals have equipped state agencies with
resources to begin this important work. The 2019-20 budget
provided DHCS $40.8 million for ACEs screenings for all Medi-Cal
enrollees. The Governor’s 2020-21 budget proposes an investment
of $10 million one-time General Fund to develop an adverse
childhood experiences campaign and public awareness campaign.
This webinar will be the first of a series of webinars, offering
practical information for providers to integrate ACEs screening
and response into the everyday workflow. The webinar will
feature:
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, MD, MPH – California
Surgeon General
Dr. Karen Mark, MD, PhD – Medical Director,
Department of Health Care Services
Dr. Melissa Merrick, PhD – President & CEO,
Prevent Child Abuse America
