Why Screen with FACES
Early Screening, Early Intervention, Lasting Impact
Prevention
Reduce risky behaviors linked to trauma
Precision
Tailor interventions to actual student needs
Equity
Center trauma common among marginalized youth
"FACES helps us identify the real struggles our students are carrying—many we never would have known otherwise."
ACEs Impact Pyramid
The ACEs pyramid illustrates how adverse childhood experiences can lead to risk behaviors, disease, and early death without intervention.
Who Can Screen
The FACES Assessment Tool is designed to be implemented across various sectors to identify and address trauma. Implementation guides are available for:
FACES Captures a Broader Range of Trauma
FACES was developed to capture a broader range of trauma including experiences more commonly faced by youth of color and marginalized populations that were excluded from the original ACEs study, such as:
Exposure to racism and judgment
Law enforcement encounters
Bullying and cyberbullying
Witnessing school or community violence
Displacement due to natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, floods, wildfires)
Early identification prevents escalation. Research shows that ACEs are linked to higher risks of PTSD, depression, poly-drug use, and suicidal behaviors among adolescents.
FACES bridges gaps in traditional trauma screening, offering a more culturally and geographically inclusive approach for both urban and rural youth populations.