RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous effect on rates of future violence victimization and perpetration, as well as lifelong health and opportunity; and
WHEREAS, as such, early experiences are an important public health issue and much of the foundational research in this area has been referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs); and
WHEREAS, ACEs are measured by evaluating the relationship of health risk behavior and disease in adulthood to the breadth of exposure to childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, and household dysfunction during childhood; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is charged with promoting and improving health by engaging residents, communities and partners in establishing and implementing policies and services that prioritize residents and communities with the greatest need; and
WHEREAS, CDPH has furthered this mission by completing a groundbreaking study on the effects of ACEs that will be the first of its kind focusing on Chicagoans; and
WHEREAS, giving adverse childhood experiences a scientific meaning and name, "ACEs," empowers victims who, according to CDPH Director of Violence Prevention and Behavioral Health Marlita White, "believed something was wrong with them because they could not put a name to what had happened to them;*" and
WHEREAS, in the television program 60 Minutes: Overtime Oprah Winfrey addressed childhood trauma stating that what has been life changing for her is the question, "What happened to you?" and not "What is wrong with you?"; and
WHEREAS, CDPH is an active member of the Illinois Childhood Trauma Coalition (ICTC), hosting five town hall meetings during the summer of 2017 that focused on five key areas surrounding youth health including improving homes, empowering working families, promoting vaccines, reducing obesity, and mitigating trauma; and
WHEREAS, CDPH est...
Click here for full text