Like many health care professionals, I live with the shadows of early childhood trauma. We all manage these painful childhood events in different ways and their impact may only be discovered as we move into adulthood or even later in life. Recognizing and acknowledging our trauma and the trauma of the people we serve is an important first step toward healing.

As diabetes specialists, our awareness of trauma and toxic stress can lead to providing more informed and compassionate care. As health care providers, we may misperceive a person’s no-show or negative attitude as a sign that they don’t care about their diabetes self-care or the health consequences. With some exploration, we may gain a better understanding of the shadows that are blocking their path forward.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are common. At least two-thirds of people living in the U.S. have experienced one ACE and over 15% have experienced 4 or more.

Furthermore, a dose-response relationship exists: as the number of adverse experiences increases so does the risk of problems from childhood through adulthood.

These childhood traumas can lead to toxic stress which, over time, can change the biology of our body and increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and more.

People with elevated ACE scores are more likely to experience a variety of mental health issues, which is not surprising given their painful, confusing, and unsafe childhoods. Based on sound research by the CDC and Kaiser, they are also more likely to suffer from physical diseases, like heart attack and stroke, diabetes, and cancer. They are more likely to break bones and experience unintended pregnancies.

There is hope for healing. Diabetes specialists can make a difference. Through the use of screening tools and careful listening to the words and body language of the individuals we serve, we can start the movement toward healing and collaborative working relationships.

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Join Coach Bev for an honest conversation on
The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Health

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Health: A Personal Story of Resilience & Hope with Coach Beverly

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and a variety of other health consequences for adults. This session reviews how diabetes care and education specialists can provide screening, assessment, and trauma-informed care to individuals who experienced ACEs and are living with toxic stress.  We will explore strategies to address ACES and improve outcomes for individuals and communities. Throughout, we will focus on supporting self-care with a focus on recognizing and promoting resilience.

Topics include:

• Discuss the benefits of assessing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) in individuals with diabetes.
• State the relationship between ACE Scores and risk of future health complications.
• Describe a person-centered approach to fostering resilience and self-care for individuals with toxic stress.
• Identify two strategies to provide trauma-informed care in your work setting.

Can’t join us live?
Don’t worry, we will send you a link to the recorded version.

Want to learn more about ACEs and Healing?

ADCES National Virtual Meeting – Ready for Viewing
California Coordinating ADCES Chapter – September 30, 2021 at 4:45pm PST
Diabetes Ed Services Webinars – airs October 27th at 11:30 am PST

Resources

ACE Resource Network

ACE Screening Tool and Resilience Inventory

Becoming ACE-Aware Training Program

Nadine Burke Harris, MD TED Talk on How Childhood Trauma affects health

NPR Article – Take the ACE Score and Learn what it does and doesn’t mean

Trauma-Informed Care Fact Sheet

Why should I care about my number?

CDC Vital Signs – Impact of ACES

CDC Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report on ACEs – 2019

What happened to you? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing – authors Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.

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Enroll in our Virtual DiabetesEd Specialist Program!

Did you miss the live conference? No worries! You can register now to watch on-demand

Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.

If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.

Team of expert faculty includes:

• Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BC-ADM, BCACP, CDCES – Educator of the Year, 2020
• Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
• Ashley LaBrier, MS, RD, CDCES, Diabetes Program Coordinator

In addition to informative lectures, we also use group activities and case studies to highlight the essential knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to succeed in diabetes education today!

CEs: Includes over 30 CEs
Program Info: 2021 Diabetes Educator Course Flyer & Schedule (subject to change)
Speakers: View Conference Faculty.
Dates: Your registration fee includes access to FREE podcast and all recorded webinars for one year.

Two Registration Options

Virtual DiabetesEd Specialist Conference Deluxe | Oct. 6-8 | 30+ CEs

Deluxe Virtual Program for $459 includes:

• Presentations by our team of experts
• Q & A Session with the instructor after each webinar
• State-of-the-art review of current diabetes care and technology.
• Resources for each session
• Access to FREE podcast and recorded webinars within a week of each live session for one full year.

+Plus Syllabus, Standards and Swag:

• Diabetes Educator Course 2021 Syllabus Hard Copy – over 100 pages -This spiral-bound workbook contains the printed version of all of the instructor’s slides.
• DiabetesEd Services highlighters, Medication PocketCard and Pen

2021 Diabetes Educator Course Flyer & Schedule (subject to change)

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Virtual DiabetesEd Specialist Conference Basic | Oct. 6-8 | 30+ CEs

Basic virtual program for $359 includes:

• Presentations by our team of experts
• Q & A Session with the instructor after each webinar
• State-of-the-art review of current diabetes care and technology.
• Resources for each session
• Access to FREE podcast and recorded webinars within a week of each live session for one full year.

2021 Diabetes Educator Course Flyer & Schedule (subject to change)

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Team of Experts: Our team of expert faculty has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years and we know what you need to succeed! In addition to informative lectures, we also use group activities and case studies to highlight the essential knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to succeed in diabetes education today!

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Bonus Courses worth 12+ CEs, FREE

When you register for our Virtual Course, you have immediate access to these Bonus DiabetesEd University Online Courses – for FREE!

• Test Taking Toolkit – Over 200 sample test questions!
• Level 2 – Assessing and Promoting Well-Being: From Population Health to a Person-Centered Approach 1.5 CEs
• Level 2 – Hospital and Hyperglycemia 1.5 CEs
• Level 2 – Hyperglycemic Crisis, DKA and HHS Standards 1.0 CEs
• Level 2 – Meds Management Update for Type 2 – 1.5 CEs
• Level 2 – Setting up a Successful Diabetes Program 1.5 CEs
• Level 2 – Pregnancy and Diabetes 1.5 CEs
• Level 2 – From Tots to Teens – Diabetes Standards 1.5 CEs
• Level 2 – Older Adults and Diabetes 1.5 CEs
• Mindfulness and Compassion in the Diabetes Encounter – 1.0 CE

2021 Diabetes Educator Course Flyer & Schedule (subject to change)

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Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.