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 for clinicians and allied professionals seeking to understand the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). They likely specialize in forensic or criminal justice, focusing on prevention, assessment, and intervention for the long-term behavioral and mental health consequences of childhood adversity. They typically work in correctional settings, forensic clinics, or policy and advocacy roles.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Correctional settings

    • Forensic clinics

    • Policy and advocacy roles

Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, PhD, is the Treatment Director for Pathways Counseling Center, Inc., the lead developer of an online Master of Arts degree in Human Services with an emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS), and the Editor-in-Chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST) and the Journal of Special Populations (JSP).

View More Programs from this Presenter
Jerrod Brown, PhD

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).



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.