ACE Awareness Foundation

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Awareness Foundation informs the community about the role of emotional trauma in mental, physical, and behavioral health, and implements innovative models that provide preventable and sustainable solutions to reducing toxic stress in family systems. Founded in 2016, the Foundation administers the ACE Awareness Task Force, the Universal Parenting Places (UPP), and the Parent Support Warm Line. Additionally, the Foundation is pioneering ACE curriculum development with the University of Memphis, is leading the county’s first ACE Aware Community Partnership Initiative training program, and was the catalyst for the State of Tennessee’s “Building Strong Brains” initiative.

The CAFE is the amalgamation of three supportive health and education initiatives geared toward life-long support for families and children of the city and county. The mission of the Children and Family Enrichment Center (CAFE) is to, “in a nurturing environment we strive to promote early childhood brain development, foster dynamic learning, and cultivate strong family systems.” Idlewild Children’s Center prepares children to grow emotionally, physically, and intellectually. The Children’s Center offers age-appropriate full day programs for children from 12 months through four years. The center will welcomes children eight weeks to pre-K, as we emphasize the necessity to begin shaping healthy brains as early as possible to help children grow. The Universal Parenting Place Initiative (UPP) is a solution based approach designed to demonstrate how front-end, preventative health care can create a culture change that strengthens the physical, emotional and behavioral health of families. The Center for Good Grief (CGG) is a counseling center which provides a safe place for children, teens and adults to explore and express their feelings about the death of a loved one. Our masters-level counselors are specially trained in grief issues and dedicated to providing comprehensive bereavement services to all ages. Programs include one-on-one counseling, support groups and bereavement camps.