Every child deserves the experiences that help them thrive.
Joining Forces for Children unites community partners across Greater Cincinnati to promote positive childhood experiences, strengthen families, and build resilient neighborhoods.
What helps children grow into healthy adults?
Research shows that positive childhood experiences — safe relationships, stable environments, opportunities for belonging, and support through difficult emotions — are powerful drivers of lifelong health and well-being. These experiences don't just feel good in the moment. They shape brain development, buffer the effects of stress, and build the foundation for learning, connection, and resilience.
Joining Forces for Children works to ensure every child in our region has access to these experiences — at home, in school, in healthcare settings, and across the community.
We know what happens when children don't get what they need.
Adverse childhood experiences — abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, community violence — can trigger toxic stress that disrupts brain development and leads to lasting health and behavioral challenges. Research pioneered over three decades has made the link between childhood adversity and adult outcomes one of the most well-established findings in public health.
In Greater Cincinnati, one in three children has experienced two or more ACEs — higher than the national average. These numbers tell us the scale of the challenge. But they also point to the opportunity: when we strengthen protective factors and promote positive experiences, we can change trajectories.
At a glance…
33.3% of Cincinnati children have experienced 2+ ACEs
90% of U.S. high school students report at least one ACE
The presence of even one supportive adult can significantly reduce the negative health effects of ACEs
National
22.6%
Ohio
25.8%
Cincinnati
33.3%
3
Our Impact: Creating lasting change across Greater Cincinnati
15,000+ professionals trained on ACEs, resilience, and trauma-informed care
Partners across early childhood, K–12, healthcare, and community sectors
Nationally endorsed training programs (NCTSN, MindUP for Life, National Center for School Mental Health)
Neighborhood resilience hubs established through CRC partnership
Testimonial: "The most significant takeaway for me was the reminder that sometimes the kids who are most difficult to work with are the ones who need us most."
Everyone has a role in helping children thrive.
Click on the links below to see how improved outcomes can come from your community.
I work in Early Childhood
I’m an educator or school system
I work in Healthcare
I’m a community member
or parent
Contact Us
If you’d like more information on how you could help, or would like to get involved directly, fill out the form below. Together, we can help improve the future for our children.
- Felitti, V.J., Anda, R.F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D.F., Spitz, A.M., Edwards, V., & Koss, M. P. (1998) Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American journal of Preventive Medicine 14(4), 245-258
- National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2005/2014). Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain: Working Paper No. 3. Updated Edition. Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/
- Child & Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (2014). “Adverse Childhood Experiences among Cincinnati and Ohio’s Children.” Data Resource Center, supported by Cooperative Agreement 1-U59-MC0680-01 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Health Resources & Services Administration, Maternal & Child Health Bureau. Retrieved from http://www.childhealthdata.com. Revised on 4/13/17.