Valley Children’s Healthcare, Merced organizations receive $500K state grant for youth

Abbie Lauten-Scrivner
·2 min read

Valley Children’s Healthcare and a collaborative of Merced-based community organizations have been chosen to receive a $500,000 state grant to combat adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and conduct toxic stress screenings.

The local organizations were selected by the California Department of Health Care Services as the recipients of the grant, a Valley Children’s new release announcing the award said. Valley Children’s is one of 25 grantees selected statewide.

“We are honored to receive this grant, which supports our ongoing commitment to improving the health and well-being of kids in our Central Valley,” said Valley Children’s Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer Lynne Ashbeck.

“It is well understood that adverse childhood experiences negatively impact the development, academic and overall well-being of children.”

This funding will help enhance Valley Children’s and local partners’ efforts to prevent and respond to negative health effects on children at an even larger scale, Ashbeck said in the release.

ACEs are stressful or traumatic event, such as abuse or neglect, that children experience before the age of 18. The toxic stress screenings will focus on patients at Valley Children’s Olivewood Pediatrics in Merced.

The grant is intended to strengthen community partnerships centered on the care of children, family education and workforce development, the release said. A care navigator will be hired to help connect families with their healthcare provider and community resources.

“Children who are exposed to ACEs and toxic stress are at increased risk for lifelong health conditions including obesity, diabetes, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure and mental health problems,” Dr. Carmela Sosa, medical director of Valley Children’s Guild Center for Community Health, said in the release.

“Screening, education and early interventions that we know are effective, will improve the long-term physical and emotional health of our children.”