A Multi-Component Intervention to Strengthen Families With Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Prior research suggests that it is possible to improve health outcomes in children with ACEs through multi-component interventions. The challenge for most communities is that health and education systems are fragmented and fail to accommodate families based upon different levels of need. This study utilizes cross-sectoral partnerships to mobilize three vectors (pediatricians, community health workers and parenting educators) to optimize the delivery of vital information and resources to a diverse population of families with ACEs. All vectors are trained in an evidence-informed curriculum to strengthen families and build youth resilience. The study design is a randomized controlled trial of 340 families of children between the ages of 3 to 11 who are generally healthy and have recently seen a pediatrician for a well-child visit.

To evaluate the efficacy of this intervention, pediatric patients are invited to participate in repeat evaluations within 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after their well-child visit. The study will evaluate the following: 1) the association between Child-ACE scores and biomarkers of toxic stress at baseline in children age 3-11 years old; 2) whether the intervention reduces toxic stress and child health and psychosocial problems at follow-up for children with ACEs compared to usual well-child care for children with ACEs; and 3) the impact of mediating and moderating variables. These results will demonstrate that for families with ACEs the intervention will decrease toxic stress associated with ACEs, improve health outcomes, and reduce health disparities.