Strong Start & Beyond

Introducing Strong Start & Beyond, a movement to reduce California’s maternal mortality rate by leveraging our state’s investments and partnerships.

California’s Maternal Health Blueprint 2024

The California Maternal Health Blueprint is the framework that outlines the strategies to improve reproductive and maternal health across the state.

Reproductive Health

Reproductive health is an essential part of well-being and a key priority for the Office of the California Surgeon General.

Education is the foundation for a healthy reproductive life. When you know your options, you can decide what is best for you. This page aims to inform and empower individuals about contraception, abortion and reproductive rights.

Safe Spaces: Foundations of Trauma-Informed Practice for Educational and Care Settings

The Office of the California Surgeon General has released a free, online professional learning module designed to help early care and education personnel respond to trauma and stress in children.

Understanding ACEs

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) affect all of us and they can lead to a prolonged activation of our stress response called toxic stress – ultimately affecting health across a lifetime. But the topic is complex and simplifying it is key to spreading awareness.

Our new animated “explainer” video, available in English and Spanish, is perfect for presentations, events, social media and more.

The ACEs and Toxic Stress Campaign

Through the Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, our office was allocated $24M to create a campaign to increase public understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. We have the unique opportunity to build a campaign that gives youth and young adults across California the resources and strategies they need to manage toxic stress, heal from adversity, and end cycles of trauma. 

Our Priorities

The Office of the California Surgeon General is advancing the health and well-being of all Californians by focusing on three key priorities—ACEs and toxic stress, mental health, and reproductive health.

Department of Health Care Services

ACEs & Toxic Stress

California’s first Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, set a bold goal to reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress by half in one generation.

Mental Health

The mental health of an individual is inextricably linked to some of the greatest health challenges of our society.

Reproductive Health

Reproductive health is an essential part of well-being and a key priority for the Office of the California Surgeon General.

Addressing ACEs in California

The ACEs Aware initiative is a first-in-the nation effort to screen patients for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to help improve and save lives.

    32,840+

    Individuals have completed the ACEs Aware training.

    52%

    Percentage of participants who were not previously screening for ACEs indicated that they planned to begin screening.

    1,803,100+

    ACE screenings conducted.

     

    82%

    Percentage of ACE screenings conducted of Medi-Cal beneficiaries age 20 and under.

    Information & Resources

    Communications Toolkits

    Explore the tools you need to successfully communicate health topics related to the California Surgeon General’s priorities with your audiences.

    Safe Spaces: Foundations of Trauma-Informed Practice for Educational and Care Settings

    Safe spaces is a free, online training designed to help early care providers, TK-12 educators and other school personnel recognize and respond to trauma and stress in children. 

    The ACEs and Toxic Stress Campaign

    Through the Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, our office was allocated $24M to create a campaign to increase public understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. We have the unique opportunity to build a campaign that gives youth and young adults across California the resources and strategies they need to manage toxic stress, heal from adversity, and end cycles of trauma. 

    Videos

    Latest News and Updates

    Creating ‘Safe Spaces’ in Tehama

    Author: Heidi Mendenhall, Executive Director, First 5 Tehama Amidst the natural beauty we have here in Tehama County, there is a grimmer reality that often gets overlooked. As an active community member doing my part to support children and families - including...