Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events occurring before the age of 18. ACEs include all types of abuse and neglect, as well as parental mental illness, substance use, divorce, incarceration, and domestic violence. Research shows that there is a direct correlation between the number of ACEs a child experienced and a variety of negative outcomes in adulthood, to include poor physical and mental health, substance abuse, and risky behaviors. The more ACEs experienced, the greater the risk for these outcomes. When children do experience trauma, understanding the impact of ACEs can lead to more trauma-informed interventions that help to mitigate negative outcomes.