NOTES FROM NOFAS
The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
December, 2005
For more information about NOFAS and alcohol and pregnancy please visit our Website at http://www.nofas.org/.
You can make an on-line tax-deductible donation in support of NOFAS programs to prevent FAS and support families touched by the disorder. Visit the NOFAS eStore and contribute today using our secure server.
NOFAS Continues to Reach Women in Treatment with the FASD Message
Kathy Mitchell, NOFAS Vice President and National Spokesperson, recently presented workshops focusing on women in treatment. Drawing upon her own experiences with addiction and raising a child with FASD, she moved the hearts and minds of the audiences and inspired many of the women to share their experiences.
Maryland Holds a Kick-Off Meeting for FASD Coalition
The Maryland FASD Coalition held a kick-off meeting on November 9th 2005. The meeting included parents of children with FASD, physicians, professionals from various Maryland agencies, members of the Maryland FASD working group, representatives from the Governor’s office, and MD Delegate Pauline Menes.
NOFAS Affiliate Update
NOFAS is pleased to announce that the one year anniversary for the affiliate program is around the corner. Last December, NOFAS extended its outreach and brand name by affiliating with seven state FASD organizations. This past year, NOFAS affiliates have reached many milestones and accomplished a great deal.
NOFAS Debuts New Award Winning PSA
On October 28, NOFAS held a press conference in Beverly Hills, California to unveil Infinite Power, a new award-winning television public service announcement (PSA) produced for NOFAS and the Los Angeles chapter of Women In Film (WIF).
Cards for a Cause
NOFAS board member Michael Wolf developed the first-ever NOFAS event in New York City and along with NOFAS founder Patti Munter, hosted “Cards for a Cause” on November 10. The Texas Hold’em poker tournament featured prizes for the top players and dozens of fantastic and unique auction and raffle items.
NOFAS Products
Making a Difference: NOFAS Community
FASD Prevention Guide
This public awareness guide is designed to help you reach community members, service systems, and the media with the FASD prevention message and to advocate for services for individuals with FASD. Coming in the Spring of 2006.
The Brain
NOFAS has developed a unique visual aid to help students understand the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure. The model, rendered in 3-D, consists of an “affected” brain and an “unaffected” brain. It clearly illustrates the regions of the brain—the Corpus Callosum and Cerebellum— that are most susceptible to prenatal alcohol exposure. Coming in the Spring of 2006.
Upcoming Conferences
Here are a few events happening in early 2006. Know of an event in your area? We would be delighted to post it on our website. Please submit information to terrell@nofas.org
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Into Action
Date: 1/19/2006 – 1/21/2006
Location: Portland, OR
http://www.fascets.org/schedule.html
Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine 26th Annual Meeting: The Pregnancy Meeting
Date: 1/29/2006 – 2/4/2006
Location: Miami Beach, FL
http://www.smfm.org/index.cfm?zone=calendar&nav=events05details&thisEventID=130
National Birth Defects Prevention Network 9th Annual Meeting
Date: 1/30/2006 – 2/1/2006
Location: Arlington, VA
http://www.nbdpn.org/current/annualmeeting/index.html
2006 Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs Annual Conference
Date: 3/4/2006 – 3/8/2006
Where: Arlington, VA
http://amchp.org/news/2006/index.htm
Please visit our website at: http://www.nofas.org/events/default.aspx to view the full calendar.
If you do not wish to receive the NOFAS E-Newsletter please send an email to terrell@nofas.org with “Unsubscribe E-Newsletter” in the subject line.
Lara Terrell, MSW, Editor