At the end of my presentations and lessons on ACEs I end with the following statement, "I understand that the data-driven and cross-sector prevention of ACEs and childhood trauma sounds daunting. To keep it simple, I recommend three actions."
1: Read. Our non-profit collective published and made free to the public Anna, Age Eight: The data-driven prevention of childhood trauma and maltreatment. Find a few quiet hours to read the ten chapters. You will discover that it provides a comprehensive blueprint for preventing ACEs on a citywide level. There are also at least 1,000 books on childhood trauma on Amazon to supplement your reading and add to your understanding.
2. Disrupt. We are asking people to disrupt a system that asks our children to suffer in silence. We must disrupt city hall, county gov't and school boards if we wish to end the status quo that ignores this epidemic of childhood trauma. This requires courage. We must fight for a child's right to safety because an eight-year-old can't.
3. Solve. Harness all the compassion you have to form or strengthen a local coalition to end ACEs. You have the tools. Ensure that your work is both measurable and meaningful.
Read. Disrupt. Solve. Take three powerful actions to create safe childhoods and resilient parents in family-friendly cities.
For more information visit www.AnnaAgeEight.org
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