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Commission discussion highlights measurement tools, training scale and research funding gaps for PCEs
Summary
Speakers outlined measurement approaches for Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), examples of large-scale training (San Diego YMCA, Idaho, Tennessee) and gaps in NIH funding for physical-health outcomes tied to childhood experiences.
Participants at the Commission on Children and Youth session focused on practical measurement and scaling of HOPE/Positive Childhood Experience (PCE) work, and on where research funding has not kept pace with programmatic interest.
On measurement, Presenter (Speaker 2) said there is no single real-time nationwide system tracking PCEs. He pointed to state dashboards (Massachusetts), California’s kidsdata program, school surveys that ask about engagement and appreciation, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for adults, and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) for youth as sources that can be used or adapted. He noted that some states geocode opportunity indices (Brandeis University’s Children’s Opportunity Index was cited) and that retrospective adult surveys are a common approach.
On scaling, the presenter described training paths: organizations can train internal facilitators and certify them; the San Diego County YMCA was given as an example, described as operating many branches and staff and having trained facilitators across the organization. The presenter said HOPE activity is “active in 47 states” and that the program has trained “well over 50,000 providers.” He also said Idaho has a HOPE facilitator or champion in every county and noted strong engagement in Tennessee.
On research funding, the presenter argued that major NIH funding streams (NIMH, NIDA, NIAAA) prioritize mental-health and substance-use research, meaning that investigations of PCEs’ connections to physical-health outcomes such as heart disease and cancer receive comparatively little focused funding. He urged broader funding to explore physical-health consequences and the potential protective effects of PCEs.
The presenter closed by directing participants to the HOPE website (positiveexperience.org) to find local facilitators and champions and invited follow-up contact for organizations interested in training.
