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What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
In this animated video, meet “Dr. Cruz,” who shares what she has learned about caring for patients with exposure to trauma, including abuse, neglect and violence.
In this animated video, meet “Dr. Cruz,” who shares what she has learned about caring for patients with exposure to trauma, including abuse, neglect and violence.
The Office of the California Surgeon General and Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) are working to reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and treat the impacts of toxic stress through the ACEs Aware initiative. ACEs Aware is a first-in-the-nation statewide effort to screen children and adults for ACEs in primary care and to treat them with trauma-informed care.
ACEs are stressful or traumatic events experienced in childhood that relate to abuse, neglect and/or household dysfunction. Research shows that individuals who experienced ACEs are at greater risk of nine of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, including heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. When someone experiences many ACEs without the necessary supports, it can cause prolonged activation of the stress response system or toxic stress. Toxic stress can have damaging effects on learning, behavior and health across the lifespan.
ACEs Aware also offers Medi-Cal providers training, clinical protocols and payment for screening children and adults for ACEs. On January 1, 2020, eligible Medi-Cal providers began receiving a $29 supplemental payment, in addition to the applicable fee-for-service (FFS) rates in the provider’s contract with CalOptima Health, for conducting ACEs screenings for children and adults with Medi-Cal coverage. To receive these payments for ACEs screenings, Medi-Cal providers must take the Becoming ACEs Aware in California training and self-attest to completing this training. Additional policy guidance can be found in DHCS All Plan Letter 19-018.
CalOptima Health looks forward to supporting you in integrating ACEs into your office setting. If you have any questions, call our Provider Relations department at 714-246-8600, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.