​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Trauma Screenings and Trauma-Informed Care Provider Trainings

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in partnership with the California Office of the Surgeon General, created a first-in-the-nation statewide effort to screen patients for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that lead to trauma and the increased likelihood of ACEs-Associated-Health Conditions due to toxic stress. The bold goal of this initiative is to reduce ACEs and toxic stress by half in one generation.

​All providers are encouraged to receive training to screen patients for ACEs. By screening for ACEs, providers can better determine the likelihood a patient is at increased health risk due to a toxic stress response, which can inform patient treatment and encourage the use of trauma-informed care. Detecting ACEs early and connecting patients to interventions, resources, and other supports can improve the health and well-being of individuals and families.

Beginning on January 1, 2020, DHCS will pay Medi-Cal providers $29 per trauma screening for children and adults with Medi-Cal coverage. Providers must self-attest that the training has been completed to be eligible to receive Medi-Cal payment for conducting ACEs screenings.

Provider Tra​ining

The ACEs Aware initiative offers Medi-Cal providers training, clinical protocols, and payment for screening children and adults for ACEs.
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Training to screen for ACEs is available at the ACEs Aware website. The two-hour online curriculum is easy to access for a wide range of health care professionals and offers ​Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits.