As Americans, we take pride in our exceptionalism. Through sacrifice, innovation and a shared vision, America has long stood as a beacon of hope and opportunity for the world. American entrepreneurs exemplify how hard work, tenacity and ingenuity can lead to success. This nation has historically been a land of opportunity — a place where anyone, regardless of background, can achieve their dreams. But today, many American children — especially those in underresourced communities — are not experiencing this promise, despite living in the land of opportunity.
There is a stark disparity in the opportunities available to children in underserved areas, and many of these children are also grappling with the long-lasting effects of trauma. Over 25 years ago, Dr. Robert Anda and Dr. Vincent Felitti unveiled the groundbreaking Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, linking childhood trauma to a wide range of poor health and social outcomes in adulthood. Since then, thousands of studies have deepened our understanding of how early-life trauma impacts behavior, health and long-term well-being. Yet despite this knowledge, we continue to allow children to grow up in systems that fail to address their experiences. We don’t build resilient communities capable of preventing or mitigating trauma.