ACES 360
  • ACEs in Iowa
    • 2020 Iowa ACEs Report
    • What are ACEs
    • What contributes to ACEs
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    • Pandemic Response
    • ACEs Training >
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      • Pediatric Trauma Informed Guide
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Resources for Educators

A child's developing brain is shaped by the relationships and environments a child experiences from the start. If, at a young age, a child cannot predict where, when or how much stress they will experience at any given time, their brains and bodies can become hardwired to react more quickly with a fight, flight, or freeze response. ​By the time they are in school, students who experience childhood trauma may struggle to concentrate, exhibit inappropriate behaviors, and are more likely to fall behind academically.

​Educators and staff in the education field have a unique opportunity to create trauma-informed environments that support children and families. 
​
Read the Iowa ACEs Report

Opportunities to Respond

Here are ways you can get started in responding to ACEs in our role. 
  • Encourage a trauma-informed environment in your setting. 
  • Educate your peers about the impact of toxic stress on children and adults and build interest in a trauma-informed system involving all staff.
  • Integrate community and family services into schools. 
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Guides

Click the images below to access guides that can help you learn the science and respond. 
​
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An educator's guide to addressing toxic stress

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An early education professional's guide to addressing toxic stress

​​Iowa Model for Early Care and Education:
Early Childhood Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports has been active in Iowa early learning settings for almost ten years. The vision of EC-PBIS is that the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children practices are present in all settings young children find themselves: home, family child care, child care centers, health and mental health settings, Head Start and preschools.

Education Training

We offer a curriculum for educators and school-based personnel that fulfills Iowa's requirement to be trained in ACEs and toxic stress. Training is available online or in-person, and we offer a train-the-trainer presentation for school-based and education program staff to deliver with ongoing coaching. ​The goal of our training is to leave you with an understanding that there is a great deal of hope in responding to the impact of ACEs and toxic stress in school systems. 

Find options here
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Additional Resources for Educators

Early Care and Education
This section includes resources for professionals who work with young children or their parents in early care and early education settings.

  • Head Start Trauma Smart
    • A Model for Creating a Supportive Trauma-Informed Culture for Children in Preschool Settings
  • Washington’s Family Policy Council Interviews with the Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Development, Faith, K-12 Public Education and Public Health Communities
  • North Carolina’s 2,000 Days Campaign: Making the Case for Investing Early in Children’s Lives
  • Early Childhood Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (EC-PBIS)
K-12 Education
The links in this section include resources for professionals in the Kindergarten through grade 12 education sector including teachers, aids, administrators, school counselors, staff and other professionals who work closely with educators or school-age youth.

  • Compassionate Schools: The Heart of Learning and Teaching
  • Safe Supportive Learning
  • Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training
  • Transformation of Children's Mental Health Services: The Role of School Mental Health
  • Are the Children Well? A Model and Recommendations for Promoting the Mental Wellness of the Nation’s Young People
  • The Health Center at Lincoln in Walla Walla, Washington
  • Coping for Capable Kids: Strategies for Parents, Teachers, and Students
  • New York Times articles:
    • Teaching Children to Calm Themselves
    • Separating the Child from the Trauma
  • Washington’s Family Policy Council Interviews with the Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Development, Faith, K-12 Public Education and Public Health Communities
  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network Resources for School Personnel
  • Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Resources for Schools to Help Students Affected by Trauma Learn
  • Massachusetts Advocates for Children
  • Trauma Sensitive Schools
    • Helping Traumatized Children Learn
  • A Cedar Rapids, Iowa school district video on ACEs
  • 2014 Developing Brain; Developing Accountability Conference presentations and resources​
Post-Secondary Education
The links in this section include resources particularly relevant for professionals in post-secondary education.
  • Traumatic Exposure and PTSD in College Students
  • PTSD Not Solely a Battlefield Issue for College Students
  • Rates of DSM–IV–TR Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Newly Matriculated College Students
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Iowa ACEs Report

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About us

Iowa ACEs 360
P.O. Box 8301
​Des Moines, IA 50301 ​
  • ACEs in Iowa
    • 2020 Iowa ACEs Report
    • What are ACEs
    • What contributes to ACEs
    • Outcomes from ACEs
    • Opportunities to Respond
    • Research and resources
    • Change the Outcome
  • Advocacy
  • How to respond
    • Pandemic Response
    • ACEs Training >
      • Education Trainers
    • Education
    • Health Care >
      • Pediatric Trauma Informed Guide
    • Prenatal Care
    • Faith
    • Individuals and Families
    • Additional Resources
    • Technical Assistance
  • Connect
    • Join the Coalition
    • Iowans Thrive Blog
    • Upcoming Events
    • Stories
  • About Us
    • Our approach
    • Our story
    • Coalition Partners
    • Media
    • Contact us
  • Donate