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Mary Ann Hansen, director of First 5, a nonprofit that supports early childhood development, grew up in Humboldt County and has deep connections with helping families in her community overcome adversity – a daunting task as Humboldt’s rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are far higher than much of the state. |
Once she was able to see how ACE studies quantify childhood trauma, Hansen could better understand what her community was dealing with and how having multiple ACEs led to greater adverse outcomes for those impacted.
COVID-19 Impacts the Effort to Curb ACEs
Humboldt’s social and medical community is leveraging this greater awareness of ACEs to implement more focused services, such as promoting healthy relationships for children to be seen and heard, whether it be by one primary positive role model or by mentoring groups that grew up with multiple ACEs themselves.
In many parts of the country, such as Humboldt County in California, social services, schools, and programs are making progress in increasing resilience in children. However, COVID-19 then occurred, setting them back. The pandemic has hurt communities’ efforts to stem ACEs, of which 10 major ones define a life, according to experts (including childhood domestic violence or CDV).
Adding to existing stresses, many families now face unemployment, potential poverty, a sense of isolation, fear of the future, and lack of motivation. The adversities already happening at home (such as neglect, physical abuse, or childhood domestic violence) only intensify. Children have nowhere to escape during a lockdown.
Fortunately, communities like the one in Humboldt County are learning to adapt, with telehealth and virtual technology. They continue to focus on building personal relationships, providing support services, and maintaining open lines of communication for those in need of help whenever possible.
The full article, “Reaching for Resilience-New programs were beginning to address the traumatic foundation of Humboldt’s health problems. Then came COVID” in North Coast Journal can be viewed here.