ACERT Celebrates 10 Years of Healing for Children Affected by Violence and Trauma

The first-of-its-kind program has connected more than 2,700 Manchester families to care

In its 10-year history, the Manchester Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team (ACERT) has responded to more than 8,000 incidents involving children. The multidisciplinary program has connected more than 2,700 children and families affected by domestic violence and other crimes to the care and support they need to heal.

On Thursday, October 8, partners, local organizations, advocates, and elected officials gathered at SEE Science Center to celebrate ACERT’s 10th anniversary and reflect on the program’s impact over the past decade.

The nation’s first program of its kind, ACERT has earned the support of Governor Kelly Ayotte, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Maggie Hassan, Congressman Chris Pappas, and Mayor Jay Ruais. At Thursday’s celebration, Ruais thanked the professionals and community partners who have sustained the program. “This milestone demonstrates the power of collaboration and of supporting children and families. The ACERT approach recognizes that trauma does not have to define a child's future, and that timely intervention, compassionate support, and strong community connections can help children heal and thrive.”

The core ACERT team includes advocates from the Manchester Police Department, Amoskeag Health, and YWCA New Hampshire. Each partner delivers unique skills, resources, and services to link families to dedicated, trauma-informed care that addresses both the emotional and physical needs of children. Kris McCracken, President and CEO of Amoskeag Health, said, “I love that the success of ACERT doesn’t belong to any one organization. It is the result of the collaboration among all the core partners, first responders, and community partners who have said yes when a family needed help.”

Once a family establishes a connection with the core team, they gain access to a close-knit network of a dozen Manchester-based organizations. These partners provide specialized services focused on the safety and healthy development of children and families. “That lasting impact is possible because of the extraordinary community partnerships that make ACERT what it is today,” said Caroline Knight, Executive Director of YWCA New Hampshire. “We may be the ones who connect families to services, but it's our community partners who open their doors, walk alongside them, and help them move forward. As we celebrate ten years of ACERT, we are deeply grateful for their commitment and look forward to building even stronger partnerships in the years ahead.”

ACERT began in 2016 as a small effort to fill a gap in follow-up support for Manchester children. It has since grown into a robust referral network that has expanded to several New Hampshire cities and drawn interest from communities beyond the Granite State. The ACERT Technical Assistance Center (TAC) offers training, tools, coaching, convening, and monitoring and evaluation to communities interested in implementing the program.

Manchester Police Chief Peter A. Marr credits ACERT as a contributor to the city’s declining crime rates over the last several years. “As just one piece in a larger puzzle, ACERT can’t take all the credit. But I absolutely believe it’s contributed to the more resilient community Manchester has become,” Marr said. “When we help one child, we help a family, and when we do it for thousands of children, we have an opportunity to change the community.”