1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in the Criminal Justice System is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are defined as the exposure to neglect (i.e., physical or emotional), abuse (i.e., emotional, physical, or sexual), or household dysfunction (i.e., divorce, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, or the incarceration of a relative) prior to adulthood. Such adverse experiences can have a wide range of consequences across the lifespan, including antisocial, aggressive, and criminal behavior. Preventing or treating adverse childhood experiences has the potential to increase well-being and decrease the likelihood of future criminal justice involvement.

Developed for criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal professionals, this training serves as an introduction to recognizing and addressing adverse childhood experiences.

Relevant topics covered during this program include complex trauma, toxic stress, resiliency, comorbid psychopathology, HPA axis dysfunction, executive function, self-regulation, theory of mind, and implications for policy and practice, to name a few. Empirically based research findings are highlighted throughout this program.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe red-flag indicators and consequences of adverse childhood experiences
  • 2 Describe the prevalence of co-occurring cognitive, psychological, and substance use disorders among individuals with a history of adverse childhood experiences
  • 3 Describe the role of adverse childhood experiences in criminal behavior
  • 4 Describe screening and intervention considerations
  • 5 Describe relevant recent research findings

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for clinicians and allied professionals who seek to understand the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), particularly those specializing in forensic or criminal justice contexts. It is designed for individuals involved in the prevention, assessment, and intervention of the long-term behavioral and mental health consequences of childhood adversity, including those working in policy, advocacy, or legal roles related to criminal justice and mental health.


    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Mental Health Professionals (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers)
    • Forensic Clinicians
    • Criminal Justice Professionals
    • Legal Professionals (e.g., attorneys, judges)
    • Policy and Advocacy Specialists
    • Correctional Program Coordinators
    • Case Managers in forensic or criminal justice settings

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in criminal justice and forensic settings.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to the concepts of ACEs and their impact on behavior, and seek foundational knowledge about definitions, prevalence, and basic screening considerations.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience working with individuals affected by ACEs and are looking to deepen their understanding of complex trauma, comorbidities, and evidence-based intervention strategies in forensic or legal contexts.

    • Advanced: Participants have extensive experience with ACEs in criminal justice or forensic mental health settings and are interested in advanced research findings, policy implications, and integrating nuanced approaches into practice.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals apply this training in forensic and criminal justice–linked environments that deliver trauma-informed, empirically grounded assessment, prevention, and intervention for ACE-related impacts. These settings span secure and community-based systems that interface with courts and corrections and require cross-collaboration among mental health, legal, and policy stakeholders.


    Examples of Practice Settings:
    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals and state mental health facilities
    • Jails, prisons, and juvenile detention centers
    • Criminal, problem-solving, family, and juvenile courts
    • Community mental health and trauma clinics serving justice-involved clients
    • Probation, parole, and reentry programs
    • Child welfare agencies and multidisciplinary court teams
    • Policy, advocacy, and legal organizations focused on justice and mental health
Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma, and other life adversities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). Jerrod has also conducted over 200 workshops, webinars, and on-demand training for various organizations and professional and student audiences. In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing a graduate certificate in Neuroscience and Law from Michigan State University. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters and recently co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs. 

Jerrod has also completed specialized trainings and certifications in the following areas: 

Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor (CFNC) through Functional Nutrition Alliance 

Integrative Adult Sleep Coach Certification Program. A 12-month, in-depth, comprehensive training program 

Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies. A 7-month online post-graduate training program 

Certified Neurodiversity Professional 

Professional Certification in Trauma & Resilience: Level One 

Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist 

Certification as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist through Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center Rochester, Minnesota 

Brain Health Coaching Certification Course 

Certified Digestive Health Specialist through the Institute of Transformational Nutrition 

Gut Health Specialist Certification 

Stress and Mindset Coach Certification 

Holistic Health Coach Certification 

Certified Sleep Science Coach

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
    -Definition: Exposure to neglect, abuse, or household dysfunction prior to adulthood
    - Connection between ACEs and antisocial, aggressive, and criminal behaviors

  • Implications for Criminal Justice and Forensic Mental Health
    - Impact of ACEs on individuals in the criminal justice system
    - Potential for prevention and treatment to reduce future criminal involvement

  • Key Topics Related to ACEs
    - Complex trauma and toxic stress
    - Resiliency and its role in mitigating ACE effects
    - Comorbid psychopathology and HPA axis dysfunction
    - Executive function, self-regulation, and theory of mind

  • Implications for Policy and Practice
    - Influence of ACEs on policy and intervention strategies
    - Addressing ACEs in forensic mental health and legal settings

  • Research Foundations
    - Empirically based research findings integrated throughout the program

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.