Pair of ACEs

What are the Pair of Aces?

At CBEL, we recognize that adversity doesn’t happen in isolation. It shows up inside families and in the broader communities where they live. The Pair of ACEs framework helps illustrate how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as trauma, neglect, or household instability, are deeply connected to Adverse Community Environments like poverty, discrimination, lack of affordable housing, and limited opportunity. The Pair of ACEs Tree shows how the “soil” of a community’s conditions influences children’s experiences and outcomes. Milken Institute School of Public Health+1

This model expands the traditional focus on individual ACEs to include systemic and structural factors that shape family life and a child’s environment. By seeing both the roots (community conditions) and branches (individual experiences), we can work toward solutions that support both families and the systems around them. ccr.publichealth.gwu.edu

By integrating The Pair of ACEs into our practice, CBEL advances community‑wide awareness and action that strengthens families and supports healing, resilience, and more equitable outcomes for children and families.

Learn More About The Pair of ACEs

Pair of ACEs Tree — Building Community Resilience (GWU PDF) Download the Pair of ACEs Tree resource description (PDF)

Center for Community Resilience – Pair of ACEs overview Center for Community Resilience: Pair of ACEs & resilience resources

Community Commons – Pair of ACEs Tree resource Pair of ACEs Tree on Community Commons