GOLDEN, CO -- A new study of Colorado adults shows a correlation between a difficult childhood and adult health problems, lack of productivity and criminal involvement. The study, by the Council for a Strong America shows that adults who report four or more "Adverse Childhood Experiences," or ACEs have a three-times higher risk of an arrest by age 18 and were three times more likely to have a felony charge by age 25. Kids with a higher number of bad childhood experiences also report more health problems, including obesity and depression, and report more health problems that interfere with work. According to the study, 15 percent of Colorado adults are thought to have had four or more ACEs.
The study also makes policy recommendations with input from Jefferson Co. Sheriff Jeff Schrader, a member of the national law enforcement group Fight Crime: Invest In Kids. Recommendations include investing in voluntary home visiting programs, screening children for ACEs, and providing mental health support in child care and preschool programs.
"As a sheriff and member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, I would like to focus on early adversity as a substantial risk factor for involvement in crime," Shrader said in a statement. "My main message about this new report is that we can build safer communities by addressing the root causes of crime, like ACEs."
[To read the rest of this article by Jean Lotus, click here.]
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