April 24, 2023 – A special note from Audrey Erazo-Trivino
As the new Associate Commissioner for the Office of Prevention and Health Initiatives within the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, I am extremely proud of the work that the NYS Office of Mental Health engages in daily to bring awareness about ACEs and to combat its negative effects for all New Yorkers. The Prevention office helps in this effort by advancing new mental health policy and programs emphasizing widespread prevention efforts with a foundational goal of promoting mental health equity. This office supports initiatives that directly assist in mitigating the effects of trauma and as such, we are staunchly committed in championing the understanding of trauma, the use of trauma-informed principles, and most importantly the availability of trauma-informed care throughout the state. Ultimately, these initiatives work towards the reduction of risk factors and the enhancement of protective factors for individuals, families, and communities.
ACEs Awareness Day, April 24, 2023
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Advocates and legislators are gathering at the Capitol on Monday, April 24th to educate and raise awareness about prevention and mitigation of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and increasing Protective Factors, andPositive Childhood Experiences (PCEs).
We are pleased that the New York State Office of Mental Health has provided an award of $9.5 million over five years for the establishment of a Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center to advance understanding of trauma, the use of trauma-informed principles, and the availability of trauma-informed care throughout the state in the Executive Budget proposal. The NYS Trauma-Informed Coalition and other partners are eager to see these provisions included in the final Enacted Budget.
Although ACEs Awareness Day partially highlights the impact and prevalence of childhood adversity, our focus remains on emphasizing the importance of preventing ACEs from ever occurring. The work of Prevent Child Abuse New York (PCANY) is centered in prevention and, in particular, in bolstering programs that address problems before they ever occur. This is referred to as “primary prevention.”
Protective factors at any age highlight the power of connection, of moving from isolation to community, of building resilience through each proactive step.
We thus encourage everyone to engage with at least one of the resources provided , to foster community, connection, and resilience in the people we serve and in ourselves as well.