The future prosperity of any society depends on its ability to foster the health and well-being of the next generation. When Tennessee invests wisely in children and families, the next generation will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship. Early experiences literally shape how the brain gets built, establishing either a sturdy or a fragile foundation for all of the development and behavior that follows. A strong foundation in the early years increases the probability of positive outcomes. This presentation will explore how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) harm the developing brains and bodies of children compromising the foundation for lifelong health. The ACE research has resulted in child abuse and neglect being acknowledged as a major public health problem and a leading cause of early death. From academic failure to alcoholism, from crime to cancer, presence of ACEs compromise the safety, tax dollars and quality of life for all Tennesseans. This presentation will also identify community-based strategies to prevent and mitigate ACEs and build resilience. Understanding the ACE research deepens professional knowledge across sectors and creates a common language for collectively addressing community challenges. This presentation is supported by Building Strong Brains: Tennessee ACEs Initiative, a public-private partnership working to change the culture of Tennessee’s early childhood philosophy from “What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” This shift results in a more effective, more empathic approach to the design of early childhood programs and policies.
