``ACEs are not destiny!``
Adversity experienced in early life can negatively impact a child’s development and increase their risk for serious health conditions later in life. Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) allows for early detection of toxic stress and hence, early intervention.
The Beginning
The Statewide ACEs Aware initiative
As San Diego grantees, the Social Policy Institute has partnered with the Academy of Pediatrics Chapter 3 (AAP-CA3) to provide opportunities for pediatric providers, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders, to come together as regional Networks of Care, laying a foundation for mutual understanding and trust, and build effective working relationships.
ACEs are very common. In fact, here is what the situation looks like in California.

What Changed
SPI’s efforts are multipronged; in addition to building and facilitating the Network of Care sessions across San Diego county, the SPI team works to increase ACEs Awareness through strategic communications, in close collaboration with our partners at the YMCA of San Diego and the AAP-CA3. We focus on trauma-informed family engagement and ACEs screening awareness, providing targeted and practical materials and tools for providers to help build protective factors that can buffer the effects of toxic stress resulting from traumatic experiences.
In The End
SPI has been working on this initiative since July 2020 and is actively involved with all other ACEs Aware partners in San Diego and Imperial County. Our main goal is to raise awareness of ACEs in San Diego county and to create sustainable regional networks of care that will create positive impact for children and families.
For more information about Network of Care, contact Angelica Oberleithner via email: aoberleithner@sdsu.edu

Social Policy Institute
Executive Team
Steve Hornberger
Steve Hornberger has been the Director of the Social Policy Institute (SPI) since 2014 administering a number of statewide contracts.
Lori Clarke
As Chief Program Officer, Lori brings innovation and excellence to design/development and facilitation of transformational insight and action.
Angelica Oberleithner
Angelica Oberleithner is the Program Director at the Social Policy Institute, and currently the program lead for SPI’s ACEs Aware project.