Training School-Based Health Clinicians in New Mexico Regarding Adverse Childhood Experiences

Abstract

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic experiences that may promote poor mental health, including substance use and suicidality, as well as chronic pain. Telementoring may be used to provide education to school-based health center (SBHC) clinicians and other health professionals in the community to identify and support youth with ACEs. Methods: This study was an evaluation of the novel ACEs ECHO telementoring program, which incorporates didactics, case-based learning, and a community of practice to serve school-based health clinicians in New Mexico, a rural state with a high prevalence of ACEs. Results: In the program’s first two years, there were 704 unique participants, including SBHC clinicians from 25 of New Mexico’s 33 counties. The pre/post survey demonstrated that the participants reported increases in knowledge in identifying children that experienced ACEs (4.3 versus 3.7, p = 0.001) and confidence in supporting children who may be at high risk (4.1 versus 3.3, p = 0.001) compared with before they began attending the ACEs ECHO program. The participants also reported that they felt more hopeful that they could help youth with ACEs (4.2 versus 3.3, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The ACEs ECHO telementoring program may be considered for other rural states and globally as a capacity-building model to educate SBHC clinicians and other health professionals to identify youth at risk for adverse childhood experiences.