The Grey Bruce Children’s Alliance envisions a resilient community that prevents and reduces the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). We work together to decrease risk factors that impact health and wellbeing. And we seek to increase protective factors to build resilience in children, youth, and their families.
CALL TO ACTION
In 2024, over 61 people from 26 organizations joined our workshop to learn more about adverse childhood experiences. Guest speaker Caroline Folkman from Toward Common Ground and the Community Resilience Coalition of Guelph-Wellington led us towards 1) a shared understanding of the science of brain development, 2) effects of adversity and 3) actors to promote resiliency to build a local action plan. Read a summary of the workshop: ACEs and Community Resilience Workshop Summary, January 2025.
In 2025, we began Community Resilience Core (CRC) Training for partners. Thanks to a Community Foundation Grey Bruce grant. The ACEs and Resilience online training gives participants the knowledge needed to promote resilience in their communities. Designed for professionals working in health, social services, education, and community settings, the content is valuable for anyone interested in strengthening resilience.
In between on-line training modules, we have been running a series of IGNITE Sessions – a Grey Bruce Community of Practice. These sessions offer a review of the modules’ key messages and training. It allows us to reflect on how we can advance our collective efforts to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and promote resilience across Grey Bruce. Read our most recent progress report: Community Resilience Core Training Progress Report, January 2026.
What are ACEs?
ACEs are Adverse Childhood Experiences. ACEs are potentially traumatic or stressful experiences that may happen in a person’s life before the age of 18. ACEs can increase the risk of negative health behaviours and outcomes later in life.
There are many types of adversity that create a similar stress response in children. Neglect, abuse, discrimination, living in poverty, exposure to community violence, and systemic racism can all impact the brain and developing body.
Members of the Public Health Ontario Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience Community of Practice have consolidated best evidence on the topic into a framework that we are using to facilitate cross-sector collaboration.
Read the full framework at: earlyadversityandresilence.ca
