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SF 1204

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 02/27/2015 09:42am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - as introduced

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A resolution
relating to the use of current science on childhood brain development, adverse
childhood experiences, and toxic stress to prevent child abuse and neglect before it
starts and ensure the well-being of all Minnesota children.

WHEREAS, research over the last two decades in the evolving fields of neuroscience,
molecular biology, public health, genomics, and epigenetics reveals that experiences in the first
few years of life build changes into the biology of the human body that, in turn, influence the
person's physical and mental health over the person's lifetime; and

WHEREAS, these early experiences literally shape the physical architecture of a child's
developing brain and establish either a sturdy or a fragile foundation for all the learning, health,
and behavior that follow; and

WHEREAS, strong, frequent, or prolonged stress in childhood caused by adverse childhood
experiences can become toxic stress, impacting the development of a child's fundamental brain
architecture and stress response systems; and

WHEREAS, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) data corroborates the
neurobiology of childhood development, showing specific correlations between ten categories of
abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction and consistent increased risk of disease and negative
health behaviors in adulthood; and

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health in 2011 found that 60 percent of Minnesotans
surveyed had two or more ACEs and 15 percent had five or more ACEs before the age of 18; and

WHEREAS, the 2013 Minnesota Student Survey data indicate that 35 percent of Minnesota
students, grades 7 through 12, reported at least one adverse childhood experience; and

WHEREAS, BRFSS data also show that in Minnesota, American Indian and African
American adults had a significantly higher percent of individuals reporting five or more ACEs as
compared to white adults; and

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Human Services 2013 Child Welfare Report
states that American Indian, African American, and children of two or more races are respectively
15.5, 4.0, and 4.0 times more likely than white children to be placed out-of-home; and

WHEREAS, early childhood offers a unique window of opportunity to prevent and heal the
impacts of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress on a child's brain and body; and

WHEREAS, positively influencing the architecture of a child's developing brain is more
effective and less costly than attempting to correct poor learning, health, and behaviors later
in life; and

WHEREAS, a child's brain continues to develop through adolescence and into young
adulthood; and

WHEREAS, the emerging science and research on toxic stress and adverse childhood
experiences demonstrate a growing public health crisis for the state with implications for the
state's educational, juvenile justice, criminal justice, and public health systems; and

WHEREAS, a critical factor in buffering children from the effects of toxic stress and
adverse childhood experiences is the existence of supportive, stable relationships between
children and their families, caregivers, and other important adults in their lives; and

WHEREAS, evidence shows that parent knowledge and understanding of childhood
development can encourage positive parenting skills, support healthy cognitive and social
development in children, and prevent, reduce, or prevent and reduce incidences of abuse and
neglect; and

WHEREAS, the legislature shall consider the principles of brain development, the
connection between mental and physical health, the concepts of toxic stress, adverse childhood
experiences, buffering relationships, and the roles of early intervention and investment in children
as important strategies; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that it calls on the Governor
to consider the principles of brain development, the connection between mental and physical
health, the concepts of toxic stress, adverse childhood experiences, buffering relationships, and
the roles of early intervention and investment in children as important strategies.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature calls on the Governor to form a task
force to focus on prevention and identify opportunities for engaging education, public health,
juvenile justice, human services, and criminal justice systems in the creation of trauma-informed
policy and practices to prevent adverse childhood experiences from occurring and support
the health and well-being of all Minnesota families, and engage diverse communities in the
development of trauma-informed policy and practices with the goal of addressing social
determinants of health and well-being and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in Minnesota.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature calls on the Governor to support a
voluntary tax checkoff on the Minnesota income tax return form, other dedicated appropriations,
or other state resources designated for child abuse prevention services with a percentage set
aside for program evaluation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is
directed to prepare a copy of this memorial and transmit it to Governor Dayton.