PROVIDER INSTRUCTIONS (Revised April 11, 2019)
Beginning June 1, 2019, the ACE Questionnaire shall be given to all adults ages 18 and older* who are seeking behavioral health services from the ODMHSAS and the OHCA (SoonerCare/Medicaid); with minimal exception**. The ACE score shall be reported on all CDC/PA 23 (admissions) and CDC/PA 42 (6-month updates/extensions). The questionnaire only has to be given once per person, per provider- but the score must be reported/carried forward on all subsequent CDCs like some of the other CDC responses (ex: gender and race are typically reported/carried forward on each CDC and rarely change). Valid ACE Scores should be entered on the CDC in one of the following formats: 00 to 10 or 0 to 10 (00 to 10, double digits, is preferred). For currently admitted/open adult clients, the ACE Questionnaire shall be given at the next 6-month treatment update and reported on the CDC/PA 42 (6-month update/extension).
*Note: This questionnaire should only be given to adults ages 18 and older; it should not be given to children or
youth under the age of 18.
**Exceptions: Due to the nature of some levels of care and program types, there are circumstances in which the ACE Questionnaire shall not be required. They are as follows:
- Community Living (CL) Level of Care (ex: Homeless, Housing, Residential Care)
- Service Focus- 11 (Homeless, Housing, Residential Care); 23 (Day School); 24 Medication Clinic Only;
and 26 Mobile Crisis.
GIVING THE ACE QUESTIONNAIRE
The ACE Questionnaire is to be given at the time of clinical assessment (at initial clinical assessment for new clients, and for currently admitted/open clients- at clinical assessment update completed as a part of the service plan update process at 6-month treatment update). This is to ensure ready access to a therapist should
one be needed to address any issue that might arise from revisiting childhood trauma.
It is a self-administered instrument and shall be completed by the individual seeking services without intervention from staff (ex: staff may not reframe the question or give explanation regarding the intent of the question). The only assistance that staff may provide is with regard to literacy or vision challenges, and in that instance the introduction statement and questions must be read aloud to the individual exactly as written on the questionnaire. To ensure a trauma informed process, it is important that the introduction statement on the questionnaire is either read by the client or read to the client.
Due to the sensitive nature of the questions, the individual completing the ACE Questionnaire should be given a confidential space in which to complete it. They may choose to have someone with them in the room for support (ex: Peer Support Specialist, family, friend).
Scoring:
For each of the ten (10) questions on the questionnaire, the individual will give a Yes or No answer. When
scoring, each “Yes” answer will be given one (1) point. These points will be tallied to determine the individuals
ACE Score.