Prevention
Reduce risky behaviors linked to trauma
Precision
Tailor interventions to actual student needs
Equity
Center trauma common among marginalized youth
“FACES helps us identify the real struggles our students are carrying — many we never would have known otherwise.”
The ACEs impact framework
Adverse childhood experiences can lead to risk behaviors, disease, and early death without intervention. The FACES Assessment helps identify the experiences that shape development, behavior, and long-term health outcomes, so that support can arrive early enough to change the trajectory.
Who can screen
The FACES Assessment Tool is designed to be implemented across sectors. Implementation guides are available for:
FACES captures a broader range of trauma
FACES was developed to capture a broader range of trauma, including experiences more commonly faced by youth of color and marginalized populations that were excluded from the original ACEs study, such as:
- Exposure to racism and judgment
- Law enforcement encounters
- Bullying and cyberbullying
- Witnessing school or community violence
- Displacement due to natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, floods, wildfires)
Early identification prevents escalation. Research shows that ACEs are linked to higher risks of PTSD, depression, poly-drug use, and suicidal behaviors among adolescents. FACES bridges gaps in traditional trauma screening, offering a more culturally and geographically inclusive approach for both urban and rural youth populations.