Chief Justice’s Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts

To understand the impact of ACEs on children and to develop strategies for addressing adverse childhood experiences within our court system.

About

The mission of the Task Force is to enable Judicial Branch stakeholders to understand the impact on children of exposure to ACEs (adverse childhood experiences; adverse community environments); and to develop strategies for addressing adverse consequences within our court system.

To accomplish this mission, the Task Force will:

  • Provide judges and court administrators with practical education on the effects of ACEs;
  • Equip juvenile court officials to recognize young offenders and victims impacted by ACEs;
  • Identify existing programs and design new programs that intervene in the lives of young ACEs offenders and victims affected by ACEs to put them on a path away from the courthouse and into a successful adult life; and
  • Provide a platform from which court officials can offer feedback to educators regarding their experiences, with the hope of creating further avenues for research on this important topic.

Read about the Bolch Judicial Institute's Trauma-Informed Court program at Duke University School of Law. The program will help educate court officials on ACEs and related issues.

Members

The Task Force members are appointed by Chief Justice Paul Newby and are representative of all stakeholder groups within our court system: judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, clerks, law enforcement, private attorneys, and child-representatives, as well as academic leaders. This talented, experienced, and diverse group is supplemented with an advisory group made up of subject matter experts as well as representatives from law schools, universities, the Executive Branch, and private foundations.

Meetings

News

All Things Judicial Focuses on the Chief Justice's Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts' Final Report - March 2024

Chief Justice's Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts Issues Final Report - December 2023

Partnership among State Government, Philanthropy, and Research Results in Trauma-Informed Training for District Court Judges - December 2023

“Caring for our own” theme emerges at May Meeting of North Carolina Chief Justice’s Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts - June 2023

Judicial Branch to Launch Safe Babies Court Team Pilot Programs - May 2023

Bolch To Offer Trauma-Informed Courts Curriculum To N.C. Judges - November 2022

All Things Judicial Focuses on the Chief Justice's Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts and a Faith-Based Strategic Partner - July 2022

Bolch Judicial Institute and Chief Justice Newby’s Task Force are collaborating on a grant to examine the effects of trauma-informed court practices - Duke Bass Connections, April 2022

Durham looks to Wilmington for potential solution to rise in gun crime - ABC11, April 2022

Creating ACEs-Informed Courts in North Carolina - N.C. Medical Journal, January 2022

Chief Justice's Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts Holds Second In-Person Meeting - November 2021

Salisbury resident Nalini Joseph named to N.C. Chief Justice's new task force - Salisbury Post, September 2021

County taskforce, chaired by DA, hopes to stop crime before it ever happens - WECT, September 2021

Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts Holds First Meeting - August 2021

New All Things Judicial Podcast Episode Focuses on ACEs-Informed Courts - June 2021

Chief Justice Newby Announces Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts - May 2021

Speaking Events

Resources

Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts Final Report