How to increase community-wide resilience and decrease inequalities due to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): Strategies from Walla Walla, Washington. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Longhi, Dario; Brown, Marsha; Barila, Theresa; Reed, Suzette Fromm; Porter, Laura
• Is Part Of: Journal of prevention & intervention in the community. Volume 49:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 59
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Adverse childhood experiences -- community capacity -- resilience -- social inequality -- trauma-informed practices (TIPs); Preventive health services -- Periodicals; Preventive health services -- United States -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Periodicals; Community health services -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1080/10852352.2019.1633071
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1085-2352

Abstract

Abstract: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) negatively impact community-level social problems, education, work, mental, and physical health beyond the effects of economic and political inequality. This paper summarizes the evidence that community-wide resilience moderates such impacts and examines how resilience can be increased by strategic interventions focused on community capacity building; Trauma-Informed Practices (TIPs) by staff in community organizations; and cultural change. Findings from three formative research evaluations in Walla Walla, Washington, show how community capacity was increased, trauma-informed practices were implemented across local organizations, and a school's culture was transformed. Common elements of change were shifts in: mindsets, collaborative relationships, and organizational values/structures. These changes enabled the adoption of scaffolded, equity-based, innovative interventions that can potentially decrease economic and racial/ethnic disparities by preventing the progression of ACEs into adult adversities, poverty, and discrimination.