Course Summary

Screening for and addressing adverse childhood experiences can decrease some of the identified leading causes of death in adults. These leading causes of death include heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and suicide. Adverse childhood experiences cause toxic stress, the long-term effects of which follow people their entire lives. Screening and prevention strategies are correlated with higher academic achievement as well as decreasing suicidal behaviors, incarceration rates and substance use. Despite the data surrounding the impacts of adverse childhood experiences, many psychiatric providers do not use an adverse childhood experience screening tool to identify adverse childhood experiences and offer early interventions that could potentially decrease toxic stress and prevent chronic health conditions in a child’s future.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• Background and Significance of ACEs
• An Evidence-Based Intervention: Case Report of a Youth Treatment Facility
  • Review of the Literature on ACEs
  • Strengths and Limitations of the Evidence
  • Implementing Practice Change
• Quality Improvement Implementation
  • Application of Lewin’s Three Step Change Theory: Example of a Quality
  • Improvement Project in an Outpatient Clinic for Children
  • Clinic Description: Practice Site and Former Processes
  • Project Design
  • Project Methods and Screening Tool
  • Evaluation of Success
  • Project Adaptations
• Quality Improvement Project Results
  • Short-term SMART Goals 1 & 2 Results
  • Intermediate SMART Goal 1 Results
  • Intermediate SMART Goal 2 Results
  • Long-term SMART Goal 2 Results
  • Summary of Quality Improvement Project: Lessons Learned
  • Pandemic Related Barriers
  • Project Limitations
  • Future Practice Recommendations
  • On Reflection
  • QI Project Implementation Experiences
• Summary

Author

Michelle Herron, DNP-BC

Michelle Herron holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. She plans to specialize in psychiatric services for transitional age youth and young adults. She has worked in child and adolescent mental health for 13 years. She previously worked at Shodair Children’s Hospital as a Program Director and as the Director of Quality and Risk Management. She also served as the Infection Control Nurse for the organization. Michelle’s earlier degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Montana State University Northern. Michelle is passionate about serving vulnerable populations and mental health needs. Michelle is a dedicated mother to four daughters and three granddaughters. She is committed to serving children and adults in her community in Montana.