Transform Lives with Brave fACEs: A Path to Hope and Resilience
What is Brave fACEs?
Brave fACEs is an initiative of BraveBe Child Advocacy Center, dedicated to addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through awareness, education, and technical support. Our mission is to prevent ACEs and equip the community with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively to trauma.
Brave fACEs is committed to building a strong foundation for ACEs prevention by creating accessible resources and community training. This approach aims to help local organizations, educators, healthcare providers, and families identify ACEs early and respond effectively to trauma. By increasing community awareness and understanding, this initiative will support Lincoln in addressing ACEs on multiple levels—encouraging a culture of support, healing, and resilience. BraveBe, in partnership with CHI and CHE, envisions a future where children grow up in a community that understands and actively works to prevent trauma.
Adverse Childhood Experiences are a public health concern, impacting the well-being and development of many individuals in our community. Brave fACEs is committed to addressing this issue by actively collaborating to create comprehensive support systems and resources. Through partnerships with local organizations, healthcare providers, and educational institutions, Brave fACEs fosters a trauma-informed community that prioritizes mental health and preventive care. The initiative offers a range of educational resources, including workshops and public seminars, to empower community members and professionals alike. By championing trauma-responsive practices, Brave fACEs works to reduce the long-term effects of childhood adversity on physical and mental health. Together, we strive to create a safer, healthier future for every child and family.
Objectives:
Brave fACEs is guided by a five-pillar strategic plan:
- Call to Action Campaign: Educate the public on the effects of ACEs and advocates for community-wide ACEs awareness. Key audiences include early childhood providers, medical and mental health professionals, parents, caregivers, and community leaders.
- ACEs Training Plan: Provide specialized training for various groups, including early childhood educators, healthcare providers, parents and caregivers. Brave fACEs offers courses like Trauma 101 and Trauma 201, which address the fundamentals and impacts of trauma, promoting resilience and trauma-informed care.
- ACEs Data Collection: Gather baseline ACEs data in Lancaster County to track community awareness, ACEs prevalence, and the implementation of trauma-informed practices, with ongoing analysis and comparison to national data trends to inform community health priorities.
- Community Partnerships: Establish collaborative relationships with local organizations, including child care centers, health care providers, cultural centers and others, to raise ACEs awareness and promote trauma-informed practices.
- Community Response: Support organizations in screening for ACEs, encourage early intervention, and develop a robust referral network to help providers respond appropriately to ACE indicators. Provide technical assistance to agencies seeking to become trauma informed.
Target Populations:
Brave fACEs targets:
- Early childhood providers
- Medical and mental healthcare providers
- Parents and caregivers
- Community champions, including cultural centers, schools, and civic groups
Intended Impact:
Brave fACEs aims to create a trauma-informed, resilient community by increasing awareness of ACEs, fostering partnerships, and providing training and support. The ultimate goal is to prevent ACEs, mitigate their long-term effects, empower individuals with resilience-building strategies, and foster a community environment that reduces stigma surrounding trauma while encouraging trauma-informed practices.
“By educating our community on ACEs and equipping people with the tools to respond to trauma, we’re not only helping children today but building a healthier, more resilient Lincoln for generations to come.”
-Paige Piper, Executive Director, BraveBe
”Sadly, many children in our community are deeply impacted by negative experiences in early childhood. Research shows that this trauma results in short- and long-term consequences that are difficult to overcome. CHE is committed to elevating the understanding of ACEs in our community, seeking every opportunity to prevent them from occurring, and creating a thriving future for our youngest residents. We challenge every resident of Lincoln to become part of this important movement.”
-Lori Seibel, President & CEO, CHE
“CHI Health St. Elizabeth is incredibly proud to support the Brave fACEs project. Our mission is to improve the lives of the people we serve. As healthcare providers, we often care for vulnerable populations and see the challenges patients face from adolescence to adulthood firsthand. By encouraging our community to get involved and understand the impact of ACEs, we can work together to create better outcomes and futures for our youth.”
-Tyler DeJong, President, CHI Health St. Elizabeth
