About
Our ACCEs to Assets Collaborative is unique because we define ACCEs as adverse childhood and community experiences. ACCEs have traditionally been defined as physical & emotional experiences that include abuse, neglect, familial separation, & food insecurity. We know that children who have experienced ACCEs are at higher risk later in life for physical and mental health conditions. However, our research and community advocacy have taught us that defining ACCEs as an individual or family issue isn’t enough - we also need to look at the structures that create adverse experiences…we need to look at our community. If family incarceration is an ACCE, we ask the question: why are so many African-American’s incarcerated in the U.S. or why are families being separated at the border? If not knowing where a meal will come from is an ACCE, we ask: why aren’t companies paying a livable wage or why is precarious employment so prevalent?
The Good News.
Positive experiences in early life and in communities are proven to decrease the negative effects of adverse experiences. ACCEs can be mitigated by changing social norms to support parents and positive parenting, providing quality childcare and education in early life, promoting healthy relationships, strengthening economic opportunities, and improving public spaces in communities. The ACCEs to Assets Collaborative is actively engaging and creating statewide momentum in these activities. Please consider joining these efforts, either by showcasing your existing work to collaborative members or helping us start new projects and efforts.