In the interest of healthier children, families, communities and world, I pledge to: (Take THIS pledge at the link above.)

1) Read or Watch about the "Adverse Childhood Experiences Study," here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-ellen-stevens/the-adverse-childhood-exp_1_b_1943647.html ~ OR ~ here: http://www.albertafamilywellness.org/resources/video/adverse-childhood-experiences-connecting-developmental-lens-health-our-society

2) Get my own ACE Score at: http://acestoohigh.com/got-your-ace-score/ (It's only 10 questions, each answered with a 'yes' or 'no.')

3) Get my child(ren)'s ACE Score. (Same link as #2 above.)

4) To write/email a letter to my local newspaper's editor similar to the suggested letter below, encouraging them to publish an article of their own on the ACEs Study.

5) To SHARE this PLEDGE with friends and family and encourage them to do the same.

Letter template:

[Your Name(s) Here
123 Main St.
Your City, State, Zip Code]

Oct. ##, 2012

[Mr. Wayne Holland, General Manager, and
Mr. Lee Rose, Managing Editor
Your Local Newspaper
456 Main St.
Your City, State, Zip Code]


[Mr. Holland and Mr. Rose]:

I'm writing you today because I noticed that the [Name of Your Local Newspaper], my local newspaper, has not done an article (unless I somehow missed it) on the "Adverse Childhood Experiences Study" conducted by the Centers for Disease Control. This study, probably the most important public health study in recent times, is the subject of more than 60 journal articles, has been referenced by other researchers more than 1,500 times, and has been the topic of hundreds of speeches around the world. Recently the New York Times and The Huffington Post have featured stories on the study.

[As the mother/father/parents of a special-needs child,] news on this research is very important to me. I would like to encourage your newspaper to run an article on the ACE Study, too. For your reference, I have included a link to The Huffington Post article by Jane Ellen Stevens of October 8, 2012.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-ellen-stevens/the-adverse-childhood-exp_1_b_1943647.html

It is a three-part article, just click on the links at the bottom of each of the three sections to be taken to the next portion of the article.

I would very much appreciate hearing your thoughts on my suggestion. I can be reached at [email2me@gmail.com], or at [509.123.4567].

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from one or the other of you sometime soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Name(s)]