Improving Health Outcomes for Children in California: Insights from UCAAN Briefs

The UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families has released a series of policy briefs highlighting the role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) screening in improving health access and outcomes for children and youth in California. Developed in partnership with the ACEs-LA Network of Care and supported by the UCLA/UCSF ACEs Aware Family Resilience Network (UCAAN), these briefs focus on how health care providers can use ACE screening to identify children at risk of toxic stress and connect them to trauma-responsive services.

The findings cover several key areas, including eligibility for Enhanced Care Management, the impact of mindfulness meditation on youth mental health, and the role of social work referrals and developmental screenings in pediatric care. The research underscores the need for continued training for health care providers, policymakers, and managed care organizations to better utilize existing trauma-informed resources available through the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative.

This work reflects ongoing efforts by UCLA and community partners to address childhood adversity and promote family resilience across Los Angeles County.

Read the briefs:

• ACE Screening as a Tool for Improving Health Access and Outcomes for Children and Youth in California: Enhanced Care Management
• ACE Screening as a Tool for Improving Health Access and Outcomes for Children and Youth in California: Addressing Youth Depression and Anxiety
• ACE Screening as a Tool for Improving Health Access and Outcomes for Children and Youth in California: Social Work Referrals
• ACE Screening as a Tool for Improving Health Access and Outcomes for Children and Youth in California: Pediatric Development Screening