ACEs: Building Trauma-Sensitive Communities

Building awareness, skills and knowledge around the topic of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) was the focus of a day-long virtual conference hosted November 13 by the University of Northern Iowa College of Education at its annual Bill and Linda Tubbs Teaching Connections professional development program.

Entitled “ACEs: Building Trauma-Sensitive Communities,” the 2020 program featured a range of guest speakers from UNI and organizations locally and statewide, led by keynote speakers Sarah Welch, with Iowa ACEs 360, and Jennifer Ulie-Wells, Please Pass the Love. Scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., it included keynote sessions for all and concurrent presentations, panels and activities (all remote).

Now in its fifth year, the initiative was renamed to reflect a donation by Bill and Linda Tubbs to the UNI Foundation to support the College of Education. There was no charge to attend.

Current teacher education students, faculty and practicing teachers and school administrators along with counselors, social workers and other health professionals were invited to attend.

Coordinating Committee: Disa Cornish, Darcie Davis-Gage, David Schmid, Stephanie Schmitz, and Tricia Schrage