About Us
Joining Forces for Children was founded in 2015 by the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, in partnership with community organizations committed to addressing the impact of adverse childhood experiences on children in Greater Cincinnati.
The ACEs Origin
Our roots are in the science of ACEs. The landmark Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, published in 1998, revealed that childhood adversity is both far more common and far more consequential than previously understood. That research catalyzed a national movement — and it catalyzed our work in Greater Cincinnati, where local data showed ACE prevalence significantly above the national average.
The Evolution
Over the past decade, our understanding has deepened. While ACEs research explains what harms children, a growing body of evidence — on positive childhood experiences, protective factors, and the neuroscience of resilience — now illuminates what helps children heal and thrive. Our work has evolved accordingly. We remain grounded in the science of adversity, but our emphasis has shifted toward promoting the conditions, relationships, and experiences that build resilient children, strong families, and supportive communities.
Today
Today, Joining Forces for Children is part of the Building Community Resilience collaborative with George Washington University, spanning multiple counties across three states. Through our collective impact model, we are working to transform how systems and communities support children — moving from reactive responses to adversity toward proactive investment in the factors that help every child thrive.