Resolve, To Establish The Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening And Resiliency Assessment Pilot Project

LD 1703 establishes a pilot program to screen public school students in Cumberland, Androscoggin, and Washington counties for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) - such as abuse or neglect - and conduct resiliency assessments to evaluate their ability to cope with stress. The program, run by Maine's Department of Health and Human Services with the Department of Education, will be offered voluntarily through school-based health centers during the 2026-2027 school year to identify students needing support. Licensed social workers must complete specific training on ACEs and resiliency before administering screenings, which will be confidential. The pilot requires collecting data on participation, scores, referrals, and feedback, with a report to the legislature by October 2027 to inform potential future expansion.