Toolkit
TALKING POINTS:
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The ACES (Adverse Childhood Event Study) is a 10 question survey that has been done with
thousands of people across the country. It has shown that certain traumatic childhood
experiences are major risk factors for the leading causes of illness, death, and poor quality of life.
This study can help us understand how health and social problems in our community are
impacted by things that happened to us when we were children. We can build a more "trauma
informed community" where we support and help each other to overcome obstacles to become
stronger, together.
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Some of these questions may be uncomfortable for you to answer. The reason we are asking you
to do this is so that we can better understand our community’s challenges and work to prevent
these things from happening in the future. Please know your answers and information will be kept
100% confidential.
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By participating you can help make a difference. This information will be used to design and
inform services and resources in Muskegon County. This will help with preventing traumatic
events for children in the future and helping people who have experienced these events get the
help they need.
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Raise awareness and learn more about trauma and resiliency and how these impact health. This
empowers people to stop thinking “what is wrong with me?” and start thinking about “what
happened to me?” and “how can I build resilience so that this doesn’t determine my destiny?”
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Be entered to win a $500 gift card!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
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Visit www.acesmuskegon.org
Spanish: https://v2.proofpilot.com/sp/aces/
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Fill out quick eligibility questionnaire. When you are “registered and eligible,” you will automatically
be entered to win the gift card.
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Take survey and participate in optional follow-up activities
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Do I have to answer all the demographics questions? We ask that you do. This helps us better
understand our community’s true experience. If things are filled in incompletely or incorrectly, this can
skew the data we collect. This is all totally confidential.
Q: Is the survey available in Spanish? Yes. It is available online at https://v2.proofpilot.com/sp/aces/ or in
paper/pencil format.
Q: Is the survey available in pencil/paper format? Yes, in both English and Spanish.
Q: Why are you using “Proof Pilot” online study? The Proof Pilot system allows us to offer follow-up and
educational aspects in our study, such as videos, a follow up survey, educational infographics, etc. Also,
this platform confidentially stores information and allows us to generate a report to share with the
community. However, we do have paper/pencil ACE Surveys for those who want to participate but are
unwilling to participate in the full study.
Q: What is trauma? Trauma is when bad things happen. Childhood trauma especially has been shown to
impact health and life outcomes. The reason for this is that trauma can be “held” in the body and the
stress hormones effect brain development and body systems, often leading to mental health issues
and/or physical diseases.
Q: What is resiliency? Resiliency is the ability to “bounce back” after bad things happen. Resilience can be
learned. Things that can help people become more resilient are: developing personal capabilities/skills;
having positive relationships with others; and having a sense of community.
Q: What does it mean to be “Trauma informed”? This means shifting from thinking “What’s wrong with
you?” to “What happened to you?” It means using “universal precautions” and assuming that everyone
has experienced some kind of hardship or trauma in their life and treating people with kindness and
understanding. It means encouraging others, taking care of ourselves and promoting a sense of
community and positive relationships. This is what it will take to start building a “trauma informed
community.”
SOCIAL MEDIA/MARKETING TIP SHEET
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ACES Muskegon Facebook posts
o “Like” and share posts as often as you are willing
o Encourage others to “Like” and share
Like and share ACES Muskegon Facebook page
Add email signature: Participate in ACES Muskegon! Make a difference, just by being you. AND be
entered to win a $500 gift card!: acesmuskegon.org
Add survey link and description to your agency’s website
Email link to co-workers, friends, families, e-news blast
Hang posters in agency, leave out flyers and bookmarks
Incorporate study in events/ trainings/ opportunities
Project Organization: HealthWest, 376 E. Apple Ave
Phone: 231-332-3812 Email: [email protected]
Reason for this study
This study is being conducted by Wellville, 1in21 and HealthWest along with community partners to learn more
about our community and to improve services in Muskegon County. We want to provide the best experience
possible for you and others interested in research. By participating you agree to this project’s Informed Consent.
Joining a study is 100% voluntary. Not everyone is eligible based on the researcher’s eligibility criteria.
Confidentiality
All information gathered from the study will remain confidential. Your identity as a participant will not be disclosed
to any unauthorized persons. Only the research study team will have access to the research materials, which is kept
secure & private as deemed by industry standards. Any references to your identity that would compromise your
anonymity will be removed or disguised prior to the preparation of any research reports.
Flow of study
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Complete survey with 10 yes or no questions (this takes only a couple minutes)
Timeline
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Late October 2015-June 2016: Study implementation. Open to all Muskegon County residents aged 18+.
Summer 2016: Report of Findings developed and distributed.
Fall 2016: Community action plan will be developed using Report of Findings.
Risk & discomforts
Project staff does not foresee any risk and/or discomforts by partaking in this study. If answering these questions
triggers negative feelings or emotions and/or if you feel that you would like to seek mental health services, you have
options. You can reach out to your primary care provider, your insurance company, or if you are already receiving
behavioral health services you can call your provider. If you would like to learn more about community resources
you can call 2-1-1 or you can call (231) 720-3200 to talk to someone from the HealthWest Access Center who can
help direct you to resources and services.
Benefits
The benefits to being a part of this study may include tokens of appreciation where and when applicable. There is
no guarantee. Results from this study will be used to improve services and resources available in Muskegon County.
This project is doing a sweepstakes. The rules are as follows:
- Only those eligible & consented for this project will get an opportunity to enter the sweepstakes;
- Each person gets one entry upon completion of the tasks;
- Odds vary by the number of entrants on 06/30/16;
- The prize for paper/pencil surveys will be 1 gift card for a value of $500;
- The end date for entry is 06/30/16 date;
- The drawing dates for winners will be 07/15/16;
- Winners will be notified within 5 to 7 business days of the drawing date.
Appropriate other options available
As this is market research there are no other studies like this one. Participation is voluntary. Participation does not
impact accessing services by this provider conducting the project.
PI contact info
Lauren Meldrum, MPH
(231) 332-3812 or [email protected]
Approximate # of participants
3,000
I accept __________
I do not accept ___________
Sex: _______________ Race: ____________________ Zip code: _______________
Birth Date: ______________
Grade level finished: _________ Industry you work in: ________________
Annual income: __________________ Marital status: __________________
Sexual preference: ____________________ I do/ do not have kids: __________________
Prior to your 18th birthday:
1. Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often… Swear at you, insult you, put you down,
or humiliate you? or Act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt? No__Yes __
2. Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often… Push, grab, slap, or throw something at
you? or Ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured? No__Yes __
3. Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever… Touch or fondle you or have you touch their
body in a sexual way? or Attempt or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you? No__Yes __
4. Did you often or very often feel that … No one in your family loved you or thought you were important or
special? or Your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?
No__Yes __
5. Did you often or very often feel that … You didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had
no one to protect you? Or your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the
doctor if you needed it? No__Yes __
6. Were your parents ever separated or divorced? No__Yes __
7. Was your mother or stepmother: Often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something
thrown at her? or Sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something
hard? or Ever repeatedly hit over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife? No__Yes __
8. Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic, or who used street drugs? No__Yes __
9. Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide?
No__Yes __
10. Did a household member go to prison? No__Yes __
Now add up your “Yes” answers: _____ This is your ACE Score.
Phone number (if you would like to be entered in drawing for $500 gift card): ________________________________
Return to: Lauren Meldrum, 376 E. Apple Ave, Muskegon MI 49442 or scan to [email protected]
Organización del proyecto: HealthWest, 376 E. Apple Ave
Correo electrónico: [email protected]
Motivo del proyecto
Este estudio es realizado por Wellville, 1in21 y HealthWest junto con socios de la comunidad para aprender más
sobre nuestra comunidad. Queremos proporcionarle la mejor experiencia posible para usted y otros interesados
en la investigación. Participar en el estudio es una decisión totalmente voluntaria. No todas las personas pueden
participar sobre la base de los criterios de participación del investigador. Simplemente estamos proporcionando
estudios potenciales en los que usted podría querer participar.
Confidencialidad
Toda la información recopilada del estudio será tratada de manera confidencial. Su identidad como participante no
se divulgará a nadie que no esté autorizado. Solo el equipo del estudio de investigación puede tener acceso a los
materiales de la investigación, que se mantienen seguros y privados acorde con las normas de la industria. Toda
referencia a su identidad que pudiera comprometer su anonimato será eliminada u ocultada antes de la
preparación de los informes de la investigación.
Flujo del estudio
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Conteste la encuesta de 10 preguntas para responder Sí o No relacionadas con eventos ocurridos antes
de que usted cumpliera 18 años de edad.
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Fines de octubre de 2015 - junio de 2016: Implementación de la encuesta. Abierta a todos los residentes
del condado de Muskegon mayores de 18 años de edad.
El verano de 2016: Informe de los resultados elaborados y distribuidos.
El otono de 2016: Elaboración del plan de acción de la comunidad usando el informe de los resultados.
Plazo
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Riesgos y molestias
Si bien el personal del proyecto no prevé ningún riesgo ni molestia por participar en este estudio. Llame al (231)
724-1111 si estas preguntas desencadenan algún sentimiento emocional negativo y usted siente que necesita
hablar con alguien.
Beneficios
Los beneficios de participar en este estudio podrían ser muestras de gratitud dónde y cuándo corresponda. No hay
garantías. Los resultados se usarán para mejorar los servicios y recursos disponibles en el condado de Muskegon.
Este proyecto está haciendo un sorteo. Las reglas son las siguientes:
- Solo las personas que reúnan los requisitos y den su consentimiento para este proyecto tendrán la oportunidad
de participar en el sorteo;
- Cada persona obtiene una posibilidad de participar al completar las tareas;
- Las probabilidades varían según la cantidad de participantes al 30 de Junio de 2016;
- El premio es 1 tarjeta obsequio por un valor de $500 cada una;
- La fecha final para participar es el 30 de Junio de 2016;
- Las fechas del sorteo para los ganadores será el 15 de Julio de 2016;
- Los ganadores serán notificados en un plazo de 5 a 7 días después de la fecha del sorteo.
Otras opciones adecuadas disponibles
Esta es una investigación de mercado, no hay otros estudios como este. La participación es voluntaria. La
participación no afecta la capacidad de tener acceso a los servicios de este proveedor que dirige el proyecto.
Información de contacto del investigador principal
Lauren Meldrum, MPH, [email protected]
Cantidad aproximada de participantes
3,000
Acepto ________ No Acepto _________
Sexo: _______________ étnico: ____________________
Código postal : _______________ Fecha de Nacimiento : ______________ Grado terminado : _________
Industria trabaja en : ________________ Ingresos anuales : ______________Estado civil : __________________
Preferencia sexual : ____________________
Yo / no tengo niños : __________________
Antes de cumplir 18 años:
1. Alguno de sus padres u otros adultos en su casa con frecuencia o con mucha frecuencia…la/o
ofendían, la/o insultaban, la/o menospreciaban, o la/o humillaban? O actuaban de tal forma que temía
que le fueran a lastimar físicamente? No____ Si____
2. Alguno de sus padres u otros adultos en su casa con frecuencia o con mucha frecuencia…la/o
empujaban, la/o jalaban, la/o cacheteaban, o le aventaban cosas? O alguna vez la/o golpearon con tanta
fuerza que le dejaron marcas o la/o lastimaron? No____ Si____
3. Algún adulto o alguna otra persona por lo menos 5 años mayor que usted alguna vez…la/o tocó o
acarició indebidamente o le dejo que le tocara el cuerpo de alguna forma sexual? O intentó tener
relaciones sexuales orales, anales o vaginales con usted? No____ Si____
4. Se sentia usted con frecuencia o con mucha frecuencia que…nadie en su familia la/o quería o pensaba
que usted era especial o importante? O en su familia no se cuidaban unos a los otros, no sentían que
tenían una relación cercana, o no se apoyaban unos a los otros? No____ Si____
5. Se sentía usted con frecuencia o con mucha frecuencia que…no tenía suficiente comida, tenía que usar
ropa sucia, o no tenía nadie que lo protegiera? O sus padres estaban demasiado borrachos o drogados
para cuidarla/o o llevarla/o al medico si es que lo necesitaba? No____ Si____
6. Alguna vez perdió un padre o una madre biológico(a) debido a divorcio, abandono, o alguna otra
razón? No____ Si____
7. Fue su madre o madrastra: con frecuencia o con mucha frecuencia la/o empujaban, jalaban,
golpeaban, o aventaban cosas? O a veces, con frecuencia, o con mucha frecuencia le pegaban, la/o
mordían, la/o daban puñetazos, o la/o golpeaban con algún objeto duro? O alguna vez la/o golpearon
durante varios minutos seguidos o la amenazaron con una pistola o un cuchillo? No____ Si____
8. Vivió usted con alguien que era borracho o alcohólico, o que usaba drogas? No____ Si____
9. Algún miembro de su familia sufría de depresión o enfermedad mental, o alguien en su familia trató
de suicidarse? No____ Si____
10. Algún miembro de su familia fue a la cárcel? No____ Si____
Número de teléfono ( si te gustaría que se consignará en el dibujo por $ 500 tarjeta de regalo): __________________
Return to: Lauren Meldrum, 376 E. Apple Ave, Muskegon MI 49442 or scan to [email protected]