Margo Buchanan posted:Hello everyone! I am a social worker, coordinating a program in a local school system to help increase trauma-informed practices. A part of my job is to give trainings to staff on topics like ACES. A question that continues to come up is, "Why aren't we screening all students for ACES using the ACE calculator from the study?" My answers have varied, depending on who I am speaking to, however mainly I stick with the moral dilemma, which is: What are we going to do with the information once we know? We don't have supports in place at this time to meet the need in the school system I am working in. Another point is that the ACE calculator is a research tool, not meant to be used as a universal assessment. It also does not cover all ACEs, such as generation poverty, intuitional racism, death of a parent or sibling, etc.
What I am curious about from you all is- Are there any resources out there that can help me to understand more about why we wouldn't necessarily use the ACE calculator in all human service or educational organizations and what other ways people are tackling this issue.
Thank you so much!
Margo
Hi Margo,
I'm new to this community so I hope I am replying appropriately. It is my belief that the ACE calculator should not be administered if the administering person or agency is not equipped to treat the trauma. Mental health providers who specialize in trauma would ultimately be the best equipped. Any other service provider or educational facility is not equipped to "deal with" the results and would be using them for purposes for which the information may not be appropriate. I would assume that all schools have the ability to refer a student or student's family to or recommend mental health services, whether that be through the use of insurance benefits or cash pay. When I worked in various high school settings often the students would tell teachers or school counselors about family situations that would alert those staff members to a need, even without the use of the ACE specifically.