Codington County Prioritizes Childhood Health with “ACES” Awareness Push

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Codington County is taking a proactive stance on long-term community health by launching a specialized education campaign focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES).

Community Service Director Sara Foust briefed the Commissioners on Tuesday regarding upcoming intensive training sessions designed to help the community understand the link between childhood trauma and adult health outcomes.

Understanding the Impact of Trauma

The initiative, scheduled for March 30 and 31, is part of a broader effort to equip parents, educators, and child care providers with the tools to identify and mitigate the effects of early-life stress. According to the report, ACES are not just “emotional issues” but have a documented, physical impact on the way a child’s brain develops.

“This is a great opportunity to learn about ACES and how we deal with this—everybody deals with this every day,” Sarah told the board. “It’s fascinating information because it talks about brain development. It’s not really ‘touchy-feely’; it’s very fact-based and very fascinating.”

Training Session Details

The county has organized multiple sessions to ensure maximum community reach:

·         March 30 (6:00 PM): A Session specifically targeted toward child care providers and parents working directly with children. Supper will be provided to attendees.

·         March 31 (9:00 AM): An introductory Session for those new to the concept of ACES.

·         March 31 (12:00 PM): A “Hope” data session focusing on how to counteract ACES with positive community intervention. Lunch will be provided.

All sessions will be held at the Extension Center Complex and are being coordinated in partnership with the HEART team and various community consultants.

A Fact-Based Approach to Community Care

The board noted that by addressing trauma early, the county can potentially reduce future costs associated with mental health, substance abuse, and law enforcement. The training sessions are free and open to the public, with registration available through the Codington Connects Facebook page.

Sarah emphasized that the goal is to shift the community’s perspective from “what is wrong with this child?” to “what happened to this child?” through a clinical and scientific lens.

Join the "Understanding ACEs" training sessions presented by Codington Connects HEART Team. Learn from expert Tifanie Petro, MS, about the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Sessions include "Building Resilient Children" and "Understanding ACEs: Building a Resilient Community," with meals and childcare provided. Attend for free at the Codington County Extension Complex.