REFERENCE TITLE: adverse childhood experiences; prevention.

State of Arizona Senate Fifty-second Legislature Second Regular Session 2016

SCR 1014

Introduced by Senators Farley, Hobbs, Miranda, Pancrazi; Representative Andrade: Senators Cajero Bedford, Dalessandro, Meza, Quezada; Representative Kopec

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

supporting efforts to prevent adverse childhood experiences in arizona.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, Arizonans can prevent adverse childhood experiences by making it a goal to lead the nation in the health and well-being of children; and

Whereas, adverse childhood experiences are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood, including physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect, substance abuse, untreated mental illness, incarceration of a family member, domestic violence and separation or divorce in the household; and

Whereas, children who experience adverse childhood experiences are two and one-half times more likely to fail a grade in school, score lower on standardized tests, be suspended or expelled from school, be designated to special education and have poor health; and

Whereas, nationally, 80% of suicide attempts by youth can be attributed to adverse childhood experiences; and

Whereas, trauma in childhood contributes to a lifetime of harms, including unhealthy behaviors, disease, mental illness and early death; and

Whereas, 44.4% of children in Arizona have experienced two or more adverse childhood experiences, as compared to 30.5% of children nationally; and

Whereas, for the past four years, Arizona has ranked in the bottom five states for the overall well-being of children; and

Whereas, for the past four years, Arizona has had the highest rate in the nation of students in grades nine through twelve who think about and plan suicide; and

Whereas, in 2014, 40% of eighth graders in Arizona and 29% of ninth through twelfth graders in Arizona reported being bullied on school property, as compared to 19.6% of ninth through twelfth graders nationally; and

Whereas, it has been proven that preventive strategies are the most effective methods to treat, halt and reverse the costly normalization of harm to children; and

Whereas, "The Guts to Be Good" is a primary prevention initiative created by Arizona nonprofit Peer Solutions to prevent the root causes of adverse childhood experiences through the adoption of the following youth‑led, community-driven solutions:

1.  The guts to speak up by advocating for the health and well-being of children and giving them the skills to speak up, when they perceive it to be safe, if they see or hear something that is harmful.

2.  The guts to be respectful by demonstrating and promoting empathy, compassion and identity respect for others and self.

3.  The guts to be courteous by saying please and thank you, agreeing to disagree and practicing kindness and gratitude.

4.  The guts to be honest by modeling and encouraging honesty, trust and healthy relationships.

5.  The guts to lend a hand by volunteering, helping those in need and seeking immediate assistance, when safe, if someone is being harmed, harming others or harming themselves.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

1.  That the Members of the Legislature declare that children of all political, religious and other identities deserve to be safe and treated equally with respect.

2.  That the Members of the Legislature embrace the effectiveness of primary prevention strategies to prevent adverse childhood experiences in Arizona.

3.  That the Members of the Legislature support youth-led efforts to prevent adverse childhood experiences by using positive solutions such as "The Guts to Be Good" initiative.

4.  That the Members of the Legislature are committed to investing in youth by creating and supporting legislation with the input and support of families, schools, businesses and community organizations to develop, implement, evaluate, sustain and grow strategies to prevent adverse childhood experiences.

5.  That the Members of the Legislature understand that Arizona's children are tomorrow's teachers, parents, policy makers and leaders and, therefore, the permanent solution to building a better Arizona.