Essentials for Childhood 

(EfC): Preventing Adverse 

Childhood Experiences 

through Data to Action: 

CDC-RFA-CE23-0005

Informational Call

April 21, 2023

1:00 – 2:30 pm EST 
Agenda 1 CDC Introductions

2 General Overview of the Notice of 

Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

3 Evaluation Components

4 Eligibility Criteria

5 Award Information

6 Key Dates & Application Requirements 

7 Questions
01 /

CDC Introductions
CDC Introductions 

Khiya Mullins, DrPH, 

Team Lead

Phinda Hillmon, 

Ed.D, Project Officer

Kayla Anderson, 

PhD, Surveillance 

Officer

Angie Guinn, MPH

Project Officer

Adebukola “Addie” 

Adegbite-Johnson, 

MPH, Evaluation 

Officer 
02 / 

General Overview of 

the Notice of Funding 

Opportunity (NOFO)
ACEs Can Accumulate and Their Effects Last Beyond Childhood
Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships & Environments 

for All Children
ACEs Strategies & Approaches for Prevention
Essentials for Childhood: Preventing 

ACEs through Data to Action Goals

ACEs Surveillance Implementation of ACEs 

Prevention Strategies

Data to Action
Essentials for 

Childhood (EfC): 

Preventing ACEs 

through Data to 

Action Purpose

+ CDC will support all recipients to: 

oEnhance a state-level surveillance 

infrastructure that ensures the capacity to 

collect, analyze, and use adverse childhood 

experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood 

experiences (PCEs) data to inform prevention 

strategy implementation

oImplement data-driven, comprehensive, 

evidence-based ACEs primary prevention 

strategies and approaches, particularly with 

a focus on health equity 

oConduct data-to-action activities to inform 

changes or adaptations to existing prevention 

strategies or selection and implementation of CDC additional prevention strategies -RFA-CE23-0005
Essentials for 

Childhood (EfC): 

Preventing ACEs 

through Data to 

Action

+ 12 recipients

+ Five-year NOFO

+ Applications due 

June 2023

+ Starting September 

2023

+ Applicants may also apply to implement 

optional enhanced activities: 

oCollect ACEs data using syndromic 

surveillance approaches (Goal 1),

oImplement ACEs primary prevention 

strategies at the local level (Goal 2), and/or

oLink state and local data on the social 

determinants of health to youth-based ACEs 

data (Goal 1). 

CDC-RFA-CE23-0005
Goal 1: 

Build or Improve 

Surveillance 

Infrastructure 

and Capacity 

Strategies & Activities 

1) Build or improve ACEs and PCEs 

surveillance infrastructure and 

data collection capacity.

2) Collect or gather state-level 

youth-based data on ACEs, PCEs, 

and related risk and broader 

protective factors.

3) Use data on the social 

determinants of health.

4) Synthesize and use ACEs, PCEs, 

near real-time data, and related 

risk and protective factor data 

from across systems to inform 

prevention strategies.
Build or improve 

ACEs and PCEs 

surveillance 

infrastructure 

and data 

collection 

capacity

Goal 1, Activity 1

+ Acquire, maintain, or add staff and/or 

contracted staff to support surveillance 

activities

+ Acquire diverse, multisector partners that 

can be leveraged to enhance capacity for 

data collection, use, and dissemination

+ Improve or expand an existing data 

collection system (e.g., youth-based 

surveillance system) to conduct ongoing 

surveillance of ACEs and PCEs
Collect or gather 

youth-based 

data on ACEs, 

PCEs, and 

related risk and 

broader 

protective 

factors 

Goal 1, Activity 2

+ Use state, territorial, or tribal Youth Risk 

Behavior Survey (YRBS) or equivalent statelevel jurisdiction-wide survey of adolescents 

to collect ACEs and PCEs data

+ Include core ACEs data elements in routine 

youth-based surveillance data collection 

cycles throughout period of performance, 

starting no later than 2025

+ Include at least one new PCEs data element 

during the period of performance
Concepts for Core ACEs Data Elements that 

must be Included in Youth Based 

Surveillance by 2025:

• Lifetime prevalence of emotional abuse

• Lifetime prevalence of physical abuse

• Lifetime prevalence of sexual abuse

• Lifetime prevalence of physical neglect

• Lifetime prevalence of witnessing 

intimate partner violence

• Lifetime prevalence of household 

substance abuse

• Lifetime prevalence of household 

mental illness

• Lifetime prevalence of incarcerated 

parent/guardian

Concepts for 1+ new PCEs Data Elements 

that must be included in Youth Based 

Surveillance:

• Lifetime prevalence of being able to 

talk to adults about feelings

• Lifetime prevalence of feeling support 

by friends

• Incidence of feeling a sense of 

belonging at school

Goal 1, Activity 2
Page 16

Concept & Questions used by CDC’s YRBS to Monitor Core ACEs

Goal 1, Activity 2

Concept Question

Emotional abuse During your life, how often has a parent or other adult in your home insulted you or put you down?

Physical abuse During your life, how often has a parent or other adult in your home hit, beat, kicked, or physically hurt you in any 

way?

Sexual abuse Has an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever made you do sexual things that you did not want to 

do? (Count such things as kissing, touching, or being made to have sexual intercourse).

Physical neglect During your life, how often has there been an adult in your household who tried hard to make sure your basic 

needs were met, such as looking after your safety and making sure you had clean clothes and enough to eat?

Witnessed IPV During your life, how often have your parents or other adults in your home slapped, hit, kicked, punched, or beat 

each other up?

Parent/guardian 

substance abuse

Have you ever lived with a parent or guardian who was having a problem with alcohol or drug use?

Parent/guardian 

mental illness

Have you ever lived with a parent or guardian who had severe depression, anxiety, or another mental illness, or 

was suicidal?

Parent/guardian 

incarcerated

Have you ever been separated from a parent or guardian because they went to jail, prison, or a detention center?

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2023/2023_YRBS_National_HS_Questionnaire.pdf
Collect or gather 

youth-based 

data on ACEs, 

PCEs, and 

related risk and 

broader 

protective 

factors 

Goal 1, Activity 2

+ Commit to sharing state-level YRBS or other 

local equivalent survey data during the 

period of performance 

+ Provide evidence of partnership with the state 

entity who administers the Youth Risk 

Behavior Survey or similar jurisdiction-wide 

survey of adolescents through a 

Memorandum of Understanding 

(MOU)/Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). If 

the recipient is the administration, a letter of 

support stating this is needed.
Key Elements for Youth-Based Surveillance MOU, MOA, or LOS:

Goal 1, Activity 2

+ Describe, if any, ACEs and PCEs data elements that were include in previous YRBS or 

similar survey cycles. Please explicitly identify data elements outlined as part of core 

ACEs and PCEs.

+ Optional additional ACEs or PCEs may be described, but should be clearly 

distinguished from core ACEs and PCEs data elements.

+ Commitment to include and share core ACEs data elements in the YRBS or equivalent 

in regular data cycles throughout the period of performance. For the YRBS, this 

includes the 2025 and 2027 cycles. States or jurisdictions that use another survey 

equivalent should describe the surveys’ data collection cycle timing and plans to 

include core ACEs throughout the period of performance.

+ Recipients should describe inclusion of at least one new PCEs data element.
Use data on 

the social 

determinants 

of health

Goal 1, Activity 3

+ Utilize data to more effectively monitor 

social and structural inequities related to 

the social determinants of health

+ Recipients can utilize publicly available data 

from sources such as the County Health 

Rankings or other data sources

+ Select indicators relevant to ACEs prevention 

and intervention strategies

+ Collaborate with CDC to determine relevant 

indicators 
Synthesize and 

use ACEs, PCEs, 

near real-time 

data, and 

related risk and 

protective factor 

data, including 

from across 

systems, to 

inform 

prevention 

strategies

Goal 1, Activity 4

+ Use state-level youth-based ACEs and PCEs 

surveillance infrastructure to inform selection, 

implementation, and delivery of prevention 

strategies

+ Triangulate and use different forms of data to 

tailor prevention, intervention, and evaluation 

efforts

+ Monitor and use near-real time data to 

increase use of timely, geographic specific 

information on ACE indicators

+ Recipients will collaborate with CDC to identify 

near-real time data
There are two opportunities for 

optional enhanced activities to 

support Goal 1 (Surveillance)
Optional Enhanced Activities Option 1: Synthesize and 

use syndromic surveillance (near-real time) data 

+ Recipients who reside in states, territories, or tribal lands that participate in CDC’s 

National Syndromic Surveillance Program are encouraged to commit to leveraging 

emergency department data through this mechanism. 

+ Recipients will conduct surveillance of selected ACE indicators using data from this 

platform. Recipients must commit to using standard CDC syndrome definitions.

+ CDC will provide more information around the use of which definitions should be 

monitored upon funding.

+ If recipients choose to share data with CDC, surveillance reports will be provided by 

CDC highlighting the burden of ACEs-related ED visits.

+ An MOU/MOA with the CDC-funded entity that implements the syndromic surveillance 

program should be provided. If the recipient is this administrator, a letter of support 

documenting this should be provided. 
Optional Enhanced Activities Option 2: 

Link social determinants of health data with youthbased ACEs and PCEs surveillance data.

+ Data will be used by the recipient and CDC to identify social and 

structural risk and protective factors for individual and cumulative types 

of ACEs and evaluate the effectiveness of prevention strategies in 

reducing health inequities.

+ Report on data linkage challenges and successes and ways that these 

linked data will be used to inform prevention.
Goal 2: 

Implement and 

Sustain ACEs 

Prevention 

Strategies

Strategies & Activities 

1) Enhance an existing state action 

plan to support implementation 

and sustainability of ACEs 

prevention strategies

2) Implement comprehensive ACEs 

prevention strategies at the state 

level as outlined in the CDC’s 

ACEs Prevention Resource 

Document

3) Leverage multi-sector 

partnerships and resources 

toward preventing ACEs among 

state agencies and other sectors
Enhance an 

existing state 

action plan to 

support 

implementation 

and sustainability 

of ACEs 

prevention 

strategies

Goal 2, Activity 1

+ Enhance an existing state action plan to 

include specific guidance, planning, and 

activities for the implementation and 

evaluation of prevention approaches 

related to ACEs. Enhancements should 

include:

o Use of public health approach to 

planning

o A vision for the state regarding ACEs 

prevention 

o Details about strategies and approaches 

to be implemented

o Details about how recipients will include 

partners

o Details about how partners will advance 

health equity
Implement 

comprehensive 

ACEs prevention 

strategies at the 

state level as 

outlined in the 

CDC’s ACEs 

Prevention 

Resource 

Document

Goal 2, Activity 2

+ Implement data-driven, comprehensive, 

evidence-based ACEs primary prevention 

strategies and approaches, particularly with 

a focus on health equity 

+ Begin implementation of at least one 

prevention strategy within the first six 

months of the period of performance

+ Current Essentials for Childhood and 

Preventing ACEs: Data to Action recipients 

must demonstrate they are implementing 

new strategies, new approaches, or 

substantially expanding a strategy already 

being implemented under current funding. 
We can create Positive Childhood Experiences
Leverage multisector 

partnerships and 

resources 

toward 

preventing ACEs 

among state 

agencies and 

other sectors

Goal 2, Activity 3

+ Serve as a convener and coordinator of 

multi-sector partnerships focused on ACEs 

prevention

+ Demonstrate how existing or expanded 

partnerships will reduce inequities in ACEs 

at the state level
There is one opportunity for optional 

enhanced activities to support Goal 2 

(Strategy Implementation)
Optional Enhanced Activities Option 1: 

Implement Comprehensive ACEs Prevention Strategies 

at the Local Level

+ Recipients will select at least two strategies and approaches from CDC’s 

Preventing ACEs: Leveraging the Best Available Evidence resource tool to 

help states and communities take advantage of the best available 

evidence to prevent ACEs. 

+ Leverage multi-sector partnerships and resources toward preventing 

ACEs among local agencies and other sectors. 
Goal 3: 

Use ACEs/PCEs 

Data for Action

Strategies & Activities 

1) Conduct or update ACEs and PCEs 

capacity assessments for surveillance 

and current state-wide prevention 

strategies.

2) Utilize surveillance and program 

evaluation findings to tailor and 

improve strategy implementation at 

the state level, with a specific focus on 

improving health equity.

3) Develop and implement a data to 

action dissemination plan to translate 

state ACEs, PCEs, and associated risk 

and protective factor data.

4) Conduct a process and outcome 

evaluation of program activities 

related to ACEs surveillance and 

prevention.
Conduct or 

update ACEs and 

PCEs capacity 

assessments for 

surveillance and 

current statewide prevention 

strategies

Goal 3, Activity 1

+ Conduct or update capacity assessments to 

develop recommendations for improvement 

within the first 6 months of the period of 

performance.

+ Utilize information from the ACEs and PCEs 

surveillance capacity assessment to develop 

recommendations for building or enhancing 

an integrated, comprehensive ACEs and PCEs 

surveillance system. 
Utilize 

surveillance and 

program 

evaluation 

findings to tailor 

and improve 

strategy 

implementation 

at the state level, 

with a specific 

focus on 

improving health 

equity

Goal 3, Activity 2

+ Surveillance and program evaluation 

findings should be utilized on an ongoing 

basis to inform prevention strategy 

implementation.

+ Recipients will develop and implement a 

process and outcome evaluation plan for 

enhancing ACEs and PCEs surveillance and 

ACEs prevention strategies. 
Develop and 

implement a 

data to action 

dissemination 

plan to translate 

state ACEs, PCEs, 

and associated 

risk and 

protective factor 

data

Goal 3, Activity 3

+ Develop and implement a data dissemination 

and data to action plan to monitor or evaluate 

the impact of prevention strategies.

+ Utilize effective data visualization and data 

storytelling tools, with technical assistance 

provided by CDC.

+ Share draft data dissemination and data to 

action plans with CDC within the first year of the 

period of performance.
Conduct a 

process and 

outcome 

evaluation of 

program 

activities related 

to ACEs 

surveillance and 

prevention

Goal 3, Activity 4

+ Recipients will utilize the identified social 

determinants of health data from youth-based 

ACEs and PCEs surveillance, to conduct an 

evaluation (process and outcome) of whether 

prevention strategy implementation is reaching 

subpopulations with disproportionate need due 

to the social determinants of health. 
There are two opportunities for optional 

enhanced activities to support Goal 3 

(Data for Action)
Optional Enhanced Activities Option 1: Use Surveillance 

and Program Evaluation Findings to Tailor and Improve 

Strategy Implementation at the Local Level

+ Surveillance and program evaluation findings should be utilized on an 

ongoing basis, as data are obtained, to inform prevention strategy 

implementation. 

+ Recipients will include local level implementation efforts within the 

process and outcome evaluation plan for enhancing ACEs and PCEs 

surveillance and ACEs prevention strategies. 

+ Recipients must be implementing comprehensive ACEs prevention 

strategies at the local level to complete these activities.
Optional Enhanced Activities Option 2: 

Conduct a process and outcome evaluation of program 

activities related to ACEs surveillance and prevention in 

communities with disproportionate need due to the 

social determinants of health using linked data 

+ Recipients will utilize publicly available data from sources such as the County Health 

Rankings (https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/) or other data sources (e.g., social 

vulnerability index (SVI) data). 

+ Recipients should utilize the linked data from youth-based ACEs and PCEs surveillance, to 

conduct an evaluation (process and outcome) of whether prevention strategy 

implementation is reaching subpopulations with disproportionate need due to the social 

determinants of health. 

+ Recipients must be linking social determinants of health data with youth-based 

ACEs and PCEs surveillance data to complete these activities.
03 /

Evaluation Components 
Evaluation Plan + Detailed Evaluation Plan

+ Data Management Plan within 

the first 6 months of award

+ Data Management Plan updated 

at least annually and provided 

as part of Evaluation Plan

+ For more information visit 

CDC’s DMP policy: 

https://www.cdc.gov/grants/addi

tional-requirements/ar-25.html
Requirements 

for Submission 

of Evaluation 

Plan 

+ Recipients will be required to submit 

a draft of the evaluation plan within 

the first 45 days of award (including 

potential indicators) which should 

be finalized by six months post 

award.

+ CDC will provide a recommended 

template, as well as detailed 

guidance and technical assistance, 

as recipients specify and 

operationalize indicators and related 

measures for the collective NOFO 

efforts. 

+ A logic model is not due at the time 

of application for applicants. 
Timeline for Implementation and Evaluation Deliverables

+ Recipients will be required to submit five separate draft deliverables within 45 

days from the start of the NOFO period of performance. 

+ Recipients must submit:

o ONE ACEs and PCEs surveillance capacity assessment

o ONE prevention capacity assessment

o ONE implementation plan

o ONE evaluation and performance measurement plan, including data 

management plan

o ONE data dissemination plan

+ Implementation, evaluation and performance measurement, and data 

dissemination plans should be finalized by month six.
04 / 

Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility 

Criteria

+ Open Competition + All applicants must apply for 

required activities. 

+ Applicants may apply for optional 

enhanced activities. oApplicants applying for the enhanced activities will be 

required to do one or more 

additional activities as described 

in the Approach, Evaluation and 

Performance Measurement, and 

Organizational Capacity sections 

of this NOFO. 
Capacity 

Expectations

+ Strong applicants will provide specific 

details about their capacity to 

implement the NOFO activities within 

these specific areas: 

o Capacity to use, analyze, integrate, 

and disseminate complex data

o Knowledge of ACEs, ACEs prevention, 

and the public health approach

o Capacity to translate and 

communicate about ACEs

o Existence of multi-sectoral 

partnerships for ACEs surveillance 

and prevention

o Evaluation and performance 

management expertise
05 / 

Award Information
Award 

Information 

+ Total Project Funding: $29,114,065

+ Period of Performance: 5 years

+ Budget Period: 12 months 

+ Expected Number of Awards: 12

+ Award Floor: $400,000 (per budget 

period)

+ Award Ceiling: $485,000 (per budget 

period) 
06 / 

Key Dates & Application 

Requirements
Key Dates

Activity Date

Letter of Intent due

(requested, but not required) May 9, 2023

Last Day to Submit Questions May 19, 2023

NOFO Application to Grants.gov June 12, 2023, 11:59pm EST

NOFO Funding Begins September 1, 2023

NOFO Funding Ends August 31, 2028 

Essentials for Childhood (EfC): Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences through Data 

to Action |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC
Application 

Requirements 

+ Letter of Intent (requested)

+ Table of Contents (no page limit)

+ Project Abstract Summary (max 1 page)

+ Project Narrative (max 20 pages)

o Background

o Approach (purpose, outcomes, strategies 

and activities, collaboration, target 

populations, and health disparities)

o Evaluation and Performance 

Management Plan (including data 

management plan)

o Organizational Capacity Description

+ Work Plan (included in the project 

narrative page limit)

+ Budget Narrative 
Recipient Deliverables & Timeline

45 days

120 days

180 days

12 months

24 months 

36 months

 Draft Implementation Plan

 Surveillance Capacity 

Assessment

 Prevention Capacity Assessment

 Draft Evaluation and 

Performance Measurement Plan 

 Data Dissemination Plan 

 Recommendations from CDC 

Based on Assessments

 Enhanced State Action Plan

 Final Implementation Plan

 Final Evaluation Plan

 Implementation of at Least 

One Prevention Strategy 

 ACEs-Related Data Collected 

 Continuous Surveillance 

Infrastructure Established
CDC Support to 

Recipients

+ Training and Technical Assistance 

(TTA) via webinars, guidance 

documents, individual & group 

calls, etc.

oViolence Prevention Technical 

Assistance Center (VPTAC)

+ Rapid Feedback

+ Tools & Resources

+ Consultation on activities & 

deliverables
07 / 

Questions
Thank you!

The findings and conclusions in 

this presentation are those of the 

authors and do not necessarily 

represent the official position of 

the Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention.

+ Visit CDC’s National Center for Injury 

Prevention and Control website: Violence 

Prevention Home Page (cdc.gov)

+ Visit the EfC Notice of Funding 

Opportunity website: Essentials for 

Childhood (EfC): Preventing Adverse 

Childhood Experiences through Data to 

Action |Violence Prevention|Injury 

Center|CDC

+ Agency Contact: Dr. Khiya Mullins, 

kmarshall@cdc.gov