Innovative Services NW strives to be a trauma-informed organization that recognizes the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on our staff, our clients, and our community. Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that take place before the age of 18 that can have negative, lasting effects on health and well-being. This may include experiencing or witnessing violence, abuse, or neglect, having a family member attempt or die from suicide, or growing up in a household with substance misuse, mental health problems, or instability due to familial separation or incarceration.
Adverse Childhood Experiences have been linked to:
Risky health behaviors
Chronic health conditions
Low life potential, and;
Early death
The presence of ACEs does not resign a child or an adult to a poor outcome. Positive experiences and protective factors can build resiliency that helps lessen potential negative health and life outcomes. We work to address the circumstances that put children and families at risk of ACEs as we work to build a community of healthy and resilient children, adults, and families.