ACE Screening Implementation How-To Guide

Stage 1

Prepare the Foundation

Stage 2

Select Your Approach

Stage 3

Implement the Program

Stage 4

Build Sustainability

The ACE Screening Implementation How-To Guide provides the information, tools, and resources you need to move your organization further along its ACE screening journey.

The How-To Guide breaks down ACE screening implementation into four stages. Each stage contains articles, tip sheets, webinars, and case studies that provide information and best and promising practices. A downloadable workbook will help guide your team’s process.

By implementing ACE screening and toxic stress treatment, your clinical team can play a key role in reducing exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress in California by half in one generation.

The How-To Guide is based on learnings from ACE screening implementation studies, learning collaboratives, pilot programs, and other health care practices and innovations that have successfully scaled ACE screening. Learn more.

Stage 1: Prepare the Foundation

Implementation starts with ensuring you have the right information and support to introduce or advance ACE screening at your practice. In this stage you will:

  • Receive an overview of the implementation process to inform planning
  • Get support from your organization’s leadership
  • Form an implementation team

Stage 2: Select Your Approach

Before you screen for ACEs, it is important to determine why you are screening and how you will incorporate ACE screening into your practice’s workflow. In this stage you will:

  • Explore how to integrate ACE screening into your practice
  • Pilot ACE screening or scale up an existing effort
  • Learn how to expand your network of resources to treat and heal toxic stress

Stage 3: Implement the Program

When you are ready to start ACE screening, learn how to launch, evaluate your progress, and continue to improve. In this stage you will:

  • Plan communications and logistics for the ACE screening launch
  • Document screening and results in the electronic health record
  • Apply a quality improvement process

Stage 4: Build Sustainability

Keeping clinicians and staff engaged with ACE screening will require some ongoing effort and support. In this stage you will:

  • Update policies/procedures for human resources, billing, and payment
  • Offer ongoing training
  • Address self- and team-care