2024 MiACE Conference

2024 MiACE Conference

MPHI’s Michigan ACE (MIACE) Initiative recently held their annual conference. The conference succeeded in bringing together 200 Michigan residents from across the state, supporting MIACE’s mission. The MIACE Initiative seeks to bring awareness to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mitigate their effects on Michigan’s children.

The conference’s tagline urged attendees to “Make an IMPACT: Implementing Measurable Programs to Address Childhood Trauma.” Topics at the conference focused on implementing the framework employed by MIACE and sharing evidence and expertise on childhood trauma.

Matt Edick, Director of the Center for Strategic Health Partnerships at MPHI, commented on the importance of understanding ACEs. “These are adverse living situations, unsafe neighborhoods, violence and abuse, neglect, this is parents who have mental health issues, anxiety, depression, joblessness, homelessness, incarceration, these are experiences that cause really extreme stress to children, and they have long-lasting impacts to children or can have long-lasting lifetime impact,” Edick said.

MIACE cited six objectives supporting their mission for the conference and its attendees. These objectives focused on guiding participants in understanding the basis of ACEs, and the many impacts ACEs may have on developmental, physical, and behavioral health. Finally, the objectives sought for participants to gain knowledge of Michigan programs working to address ACEs and how to apply trauma-informed care resources in their work.

To support their objectives, the conference featured three community presentations alongside keynote presentations and multiple breakout sessions. The presentations covered diverse topics relating to ACEs, helping capture the breadth of the complex subject. Speakers came from a wide range of backgrounds, all invested in the care and protection of Michigan youth. The conference’s success and wealth of knowledge underscores the initiative’s achievements in advocacy, training, and development of preventative strategies for ACEs.

For more information on the MIACE Initiative visit:
Home – Michigan ACE Initiative (miace.org)
200 Michiganders meet together for common goal (wilx.com)