David, Age 14: A Book Review

David, Age 14: Who and what determine our children’s health, education and future by Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney and Dominic Cappello*

Independently published 142 pages
Paperback $9.50 from Amazon

Reviewed by Hanna Churchwell

Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney and Dominic Cappello worked for the New Mexico Child Protective Services Research, Assessment and Data Bureau, where they co-developed the Data Leaders for Child Welfare program- now they guide the 100% New Mexico Initiative as co-directors of the Anna, Age Eight Institute at New Mexico State University.

The framework and data Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney and Dominic Capello presented in 2017’s Anna, Age 8 served the authors well in their launch of the 100% New Mexico Initiative and in writing their latest book David, Age 14: Who and what determine our children’s health education and future. Through a mixture of straightforward and persuasive writing, journal entries from each author exploring their experiences and frustrations with our current systems, and the fictional but very real story of David, age 14– a stand-in for many children in Santa Fe and across the country– the authors advocate for preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and argue research on the topic paints a clear picture of how prevention of ACEs is central to combating diseases of despair and intergenerational cycles of trauma and poverty.

The book proposes that children be given a legal right to survive and thrive and that our local government uphold the right through providing 10 necessary services to all members of the community: distribution of food, provision of shelter, medical care, behavioral health care, parent support, early childhood learning programs, community schools with health centers, youth mentoring, workforce training, and transportation to all these services. The initiative is ambitious–it has to be. The ten services proposed must be implemented simultaneously, easily accessed, and carried out over decades to be effective– a repellent notion to government officials and funders motivated by instant gratification.

There is an optimistic and motivating side to this otherwise emotionally-exhausting read in the authors’ assertion that ACEs and the systems which perpetuate them are not inevitable natural disasters but man-made disasters our community can confront on the local, county level. Ortega Courtney and Cappello firmly place the problem in our hands, asking us to shed our feelings of powerlessness and replace them with the will to change. If you are looking for tangible, data-driven ideas on forming healthier communities accompanied by actionable steps and community buy-in, this book is for you. 

*Dominic Capello is currently a resident artist at HSFF’s El Zaguán.