Course Summary

Expiration Date: 03/18/2029

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are highly prevalent and have profound effects on child development, mental health, and long-term physical outcomes. This course provides clinicians across a variety of settings with a comprehensive overview of ACEs and trauma-informed care. It explores the prevalence of ACEs, the biological and psychosocial mechanisms through which adversity impacts health, and the long-term consequences, such as chronic disease and substance use. Evidence-based approaches to screening are described alongside practical strategies for trauma-informed engagement. Mandated reporting responsibilities, equity considerations, and best practices for coordinating services are addressed. Clinicians and therapists will understand how to integrate trauma-informed principles into their daily practice and support resilience and healing in children and families.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
    • Prevalence of ACEs
    • The Biology of Toxic Stress
    • Impact on Mental and Behavioral Health
    • Impact on Physical Health and Chronic Disease
    • Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
    • Debate Over Screening for ACEs
    • Validated Screening Tools
    • Trauma-Informed Care in Different Settings
    • Responding to Positive Screens
    • Documentation, Confidentiality, and Mandated Reporting
    • Equity Considerations
    • Building Practical Workflows
    • Key Takeaway Points

Authors

Sarah Schulze, MSN, APRN, CPNP

Sarah Schulze is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner and professional medical content writer. She earned her BSN from Indiana State University and her MSN from University of Illinois at Chicago. In clinical practice as an RN and NP, she has experience in a variety of settings; including critical care, PACU, pediatrics, mental health, and lactation support. She currently owns and operates a private practice providing outpatient mental health services to children and adolescents. As a writer, she has developed content for many CEU courses, medical apps, health education curricula, NCLEX study materials, health blogs, and more.

William Cook, PhD

William Cook, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who worked for 15 years in private practice in Montana before leaving his practice to work full time as the Director of CE4Less. He earned his doctorate degree from Texas A&M University, and focused much of his psychology practice in the area of child and family counseling, as well as psychological testing. Dr. Cook likes new challenges, foreign traveling to Africa and areas of Europe and the near East, scuba diving, running, music, and spending time with his family.