Juan Hernandez’s ACEs Screening
In recent years, increased attention has been given to screening children and adolescents for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ACEs include growing up in homes involving violence, abuse, neglect, mental health or substance abuse issues, parental separation, or incarceration. Researchers have found that ACEs negatively impact mental and physical health in adulthood and can limit life opportunities (CDC, 2020). Through screening,
social workers can identify these experiences in a child’s life and then consider methods to prevent or mitigate the negative effects. Some screening tools have even been expanded to include related life events that contribute to toxic stress, in order to get a broader picture of a child’s experiences.
For this Assignment, you act as a social worker screening Juan Hernandez Jr. for ACEs and related life events. You then consider what you learned from the screening and how you would work with the family.
Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, April 3). Adverse childhood experiences (ACES). https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
TO PREPARE:
• Review the Learning Resources on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
• Review the Hernandez family case in the “Social Work Case Studies” interactive media.
• Download the Pediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener and use it to complete this Assignment.
BY DAY 7
Complete the Pediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener for Juan Jr.
Then, in a 1- to 2-page paper, analyze what you learned from the assessment and how you might use it in practice.
In your paper, address the following:
• What plans would you make for working with this family based on the identified ACEs?
• How would you administer the ACEs assessment in this case or other cases involving young children?
Case Study: Hernandez Family
Juan Hernandez (27) and Elena Hernandez (25) are a married Latino couple who were referred to the New York City Administration for Children Services (ACS) for abuse allegations. They have an 8-year-old son, Juan Jr., and a 6-year-old son, Alberto. They were married 7 years ago, soon after Juan Jr. was born. Juan and Elena were both born in Puerto Rico and raised in Queens, New York. They rent a two-bedroom apartment in an apartment complex where they have lived for 7 years. Elena works as babysitter for a family that lives nearby, and Juan works at the airport in the baggage department. Overall, their physical health is good, although Elena was diagnosed with diabetes this past year and Juan has some lower back issues from loading and unloading bags.
They both drink socially with friends and family. Juan goes out with friends on the weekends sometimes to “blow off steam,” having six to eight beers, and Elena drinks sparingly, only one or two drinks a month. Both deny any current drug use. While they do not attend church regularly, both identify as being Catholic and observe all religious holidays. Juan was arrested 4 years ago for drug possession and was sentenced to 6 months in jail. Elena has no criminal history. They have a large support network of friends and family who live nearby, and both Elena’s and Juan’s parents live within blocks of their apartment and visit frequently. Juan and Elena both enjoy playing cards with family and friends on the weekends and taking the boys out to the park and beach near their home.