We are pleased to announce that the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) will become the Child and Family Research Unit (CAFRU) effective September 1, 2015.
Why are we changing names? Over the last 10 years we have developed an extensive body of work addressing the public health consequences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resulting trauma. Our work in developing models to address trauma has expanded to a level where we are choosing to make trauma the sole focus of our work going forward. Changing our name to the Child and Family Research Unit is intended to fully reflect our focus on the success of children, family, and community programs confronted by adversity.
Why change now? AHEC is a designation associated with a specific federal funding program in which we no longer participate. Because of the shifts in grant funding, the AHEC focus on rural provider education and health careers is ending although our commitment to working with rural partners is not. In our trauma work, we will continue to have significant rural partnerships.