Project Description Narrative:
A growing body of research has linked Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to increased risk of unhealthy behaviors throughout the lifespan, including smoking and alcohol use, chronic disease, impaired mental health, disability and premature death. Children involved in the child welfare system are exceptionally vulnerable and are known to have experiences multiple ACEs due to maltreatment and the resulting removal, separation, and placement by child protective services or law enforcement. Traditional modalities used to care fo, diagnose, and treat individuals who have endured child maltreatment and other ACEs are inadequate, and may actually induce trauma themselves. Through this project, Fostering Futures aims to develop and a statewide, interdisciplinary approach, informed by three local communities and state policymakers, to integrate evidence about ACEs and the benefits of resiliency and trauma-informed care into state and local systems of care that impact Wisconsin children and families involved in the child welfare system.
Community partners: Casey Family Programs, Fostering Hope Foundation, Fresh Start Family Services, Inc., Office of the First Lady of Wisconsin, SaintA, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health