In November, after an intensive planning period, the Social Policy Institute (SPI) and the American Academy of Pediatrics, CA Chapter 3 (AAP-CA3), co-facilitated their first Network of Care convening, focused on bringing different community-based organizations (CBOs) and pediatric providers in the North County area together. The group actively engaged in discussions around services and programs that help build protective factors in families and can buffer the effects of ACEs or even prevent future ACEs. Led by Dr. Pradeep Gidwani, Medical Director at the AAP-CA3, and Lori Clarke, Chief Programs Officer at the SPI, the group discussed how solid referral pathways between CBOs and pediatric providers can be established to ensure children and families are connected with services and programs they need. As a follow-up to this first Network of Care session in North County, the SPI team is collecting referral information and related materials to share with all participants.

Looking ahead, Dr. Harris is hoping that the ACEs Aware Initiative will be able to provide more support, specifically to networks of care. ACE screening enables early detection. The purpose of screening is to identify individuals who may be at high risk for toxic stress response and to apply interventions that can address that. Some of those interventions happen at clinics and some happen in the community. She shares that it takes a network of care to address those interventions. ACEs Aware hopes to announce additional resources this winter.

Note: These are supplementary trainings, supported by the ACEs Aware initiative, but these trainings do not qualify providers to bill Medi-Cal for ACE screenings. To be qualified for screening billing, please see Core Trainings on the ACEs Aware website