2014 • 5^th Annual ECMH Conference

September 19-20, 2014

Crowne Plaza Hotel, San Diego, CA

Improving the Outcomes of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study

 There were 634 individuals in attendance over the two-day 2014 conference, which focused on the findings of the Adverse Childhood Experience Study (ACES) that was begun in San Diego more than 20 years ago and highlighted current research and treatment interventions that build resiliency and accentuate protective factors in the lives of children and can reverse the negative outcomes from the ACEs Study.   Presentations and workshops were created around answering one question: “What can be done to change the odds?” The clinical knowledge gained over the past two decades set the stage to help us understand what can be done to support those with “high ACE scores.” The presenters were asked to explore how to change the odds by demonstrating actual interventions and clinical efforts that have been designed to help treat, educate, support, mitigate, and comfort those who have experienced traumatic events in childhood.

In addition to the 32 main break-out sessions, 4 plenaries/keynote sessions, the exhibit hall featured 13 exhibitors that included community providers, university programs, children’s toys, jewelry, clothing, and a bookstore.

Distinguished Keynote Speakers: 

Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD – Internationally recognized authority on children in crisis. Senior Fellow of the ChildTrauma Academy (www.ChildTrauma.org) and best-selling author of The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog, a best-selling book based on his work with maltreated children, and Born For Love: Why Empathy is Essential and Endangered. His most recent multimedia books, BRIEF: Reflections on Childhood, Trauma, and Society and RESILIENT: Six Core Strengths for Healthy Development

Pradeep Gidwani, MD, MPH – Director of Projects at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), California Chapter 3, San Diego and Imperial Counties. Dr. Gidwani works on the team providing county-wide coordination and support for First 5 San Diego’s Healthy Development Services project and First 5 San Diego First Step Home Visiting Program.

Mark Katz, PhD – Director of Learning Development Services, an educational, psychological and neuro-psychological center in San Diego, California and home to the Resilience Through the Lifespan Project.  Dr. Katz is the author of On Playing a Poor Hand Well, a book which explores the lessons learned from those who’ve overcome adverse childhood experiences and discusses ways of incorporating these lessons into our existing system of care.

Click here for 2014 Faculty List

Click here for 2014 Agenda

Click here for 2014 Planning Committee

Click here for 2014 Planning Partners and Funders

Click here for 2014 Handouts