California Surgeon General Joins Wayfinder Family Services' Panel on ACEs

LOS ANGELES, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayfinder Family Services' annual event, The Conversation, explored the topic of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) this year. The panel event featured California Surgeon General Dr. Diana E. Ramos, youth justice organizer Josue "Swey" Pineda and Wayfinder Family Services chief operating officer Dawn Vo-Jutabha, PhD. Emily Williams, CEO of UCLA-UCSF ACEs Aware Family Resilience Network (UCAAN), moderated the panel discussion, held in downtown Los Angeles.

Williams started the discussion with how ACEs affect Californians, noting that two-thirds have experienced at least one ACE, and four or more ACEs increase the risk of nine of the top 10 national causes of death. Ramos discussed California's historic investment in the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), a holistic plan to address the factors that contribute to the mental health and well-being of children and youth. She highlighted Live Beyond, a campaign of the CYBHI that focuses on raising awareness and understanding of ACEs and toxic stress. Ramos also shared her passion for Strong Start & Beyond, her office's movement to reduce California's maternal mortality rate 50% by December 2026.

Pineda shared his role in the Beyond ACEs campaign along with his own personal journey from facing incarceration to his current leadership role and youth advocacy efforts. Vo-Jutabha discussed ACEs screenings in Wayfinder's programs and shared the organization's approach to building resilience in the over 22,000 children, youth and adults it serves annually.

The event also honored Wayfinder's board chair, Glenn Sonnenberg; Wayfinder's Impact Council co-chair, Jason Russell; and the W. M. Keck Foundation for their commitment to children, youth and families in California.

"By hosting The Conversation each year, Wayfinder's Board of Directors and Impact Council continue to raise awareness about critical issues and help us honor our greatest champions. I am incredibly grateful to this year's phenomenal panel and moderator for sharing their expertise," said Wayfinder President and Chief Executive Officer Jay Allen.

About Wayfinder Family Services 
Wayfinder Family Services is the place to turn for people facing the greatest challenges. The organization provides expert, individualized support and services to children, youth, adults and families—from people with vision loss and developmental disabilities to children in need of temporary shelter, foster care and adoption.

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SOURCE Wayfinder Family Services