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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 17, 2022 03:00 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Pamela A. DeLissio |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Study of Current Policies that Amplify Childhood Trauma |
| Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are negative life events or experiences that occur before the age of 18. An ACE may include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, physical or emotional neglect, or household dysfunction. Over half of all Pennsylvanians have experienced at least one ACE. If you are curious as to what your ACE score is, you can take the ACEs Quiz here. The ACEs quiz is a helpful tool for raising awareness about the potential impact of ACEs, on both an individual and community level. When we know more, we can do more. Understanding how trauma has long-lasting impacts is a key part of healing and, most importantly, prevention. Studies show that ACEs can be linked to substance abuse, intravenous drug use, alcoholism, domestic violence, sexual assaults, attempted suicides, and depression diagnoses. It is costly for our communities to deal with these harmful long-term consequences of untreated childhood trauma. Fortunately, we can significantly reduce these costs by actively working to prevent and heal childhood trauma. Unfortunately, some regulations in effect in Pennsylvania may have inadvertently amplified childhood trauma. To further investigate this problem, I will be introducing a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of child-related policies implemented in the past five years that are currently in effect which have exacerbated trauma in children and families. Once completed, this study will provide crucial information on how Pennsylvania can draft policy in the future to mitigate trauma. As legislators, our communities demand that we make decisions with their best interests at heart, which includes ensuring that our policies help, not hinder, future generations of Pennsylvanians. Please join me in this effort to achieve a prosperous, safe, and healthy populace while reducing costs associated with social services and health care. |
Introduced as HR228