“This column was adapted from oral remarks given by the author, Wendy Smith, an associate dean at the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work, during a Congressional roundtable sponsored by the National Foster Youth Institute and the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth in February 2016.” The column discusses brain development, particularly the impact that trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have on the brain. “When a child does not have to be occupied with managing or recovering from the trauma of maltreatment or removal, that child is much more likely to be healthy, to be able to learn and to grow into a successful member of society,” says the article. The column advocates for greater investment and intervention for families at-risk to prevent adverse experiences in childhood.
