NOFAS Advocacy in 2006

As 2006 approaches, we realize the important challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.  Collectively, we must reach an increasingly broader audience with messages about alcohol and pregnancy, enhance our understanding of the disorder through science and research, and engage and activate systems of care and services.  We must meet the needs of our friends and families living with FASD, encourage greater attention and investment for the cause, and much more. NOFAS will continue to help play a leading role in accomplishing these goals.

One specific area of focus for NOFAS in the coming year is legislative advocacy. While this effort accounts for less than ten percent of the NOFAS budget, it is a vital component of our mission. In addition to numerous public awareness and education-based programs, including a new initiative to address FASD within the vast network of Community Health Centers, NOFAS has significant plans to build on its many years of advocacy work.

To achieve success in the legislative and policy arenas, FASD stakeholders must be fully informed of the process for change and the current issues.  Furthermore, they must be prepared to tell their stories and be active participants.  When large numbers of people speak out in favor of common goals, legislative and public policies can be adopted or changed, benefiting everyone.

NOFAS plans for FASD advocacy include:

Growing the FASD Advocacy Network

A unified and sizeable voice will capture the attention of policymakers and increase the chance for progress. Many individuals and organizations in the field of FASD have been doing important advocacy at all levels for many years. NOFAS can assist their work and train new advocates through a network that provides regular updates, policy agendas, advocacy training and technical assistance, and access to policymakers.

Communicating with constituents

NOFAS will launch a monthly legislative and policy report. The first report in December 2005 will include a summary of the history of federal Fetal Alcohol-related legislation. Future updates will include an overview of the current federal response to FASD, a primer on the legislative process, training on CapWiz (the powerful advocacy tool on the NOFAS website, http://capwiz.com/nofas/home/), a glossary of legislative and advocacy terms, and the 2006 legislative and policy agenda. Anyone can become a member of the network.

Adopting an Advocacy Agenda and Position statements

NOFAS will help organize a legislative and policy agenda with the input of FASD stakeholders, beginning with an agenda for advocacy at the Federal level, and followed by policy and state-level legislative agendas. Fact sheets and position statements on a range of issues relevant to FASD will be disseminated to constituents and policymakers.

Advocating for FASD and Educating Policymakers

NOFAS will advance the advocacy agenda through direct contact with lawmakers, federal agency administrators and other policymakers. We will also coordinate staff briefings, congressional visits for constituents, and the third annual NOFAS Advocacy Summit and Hill Day in the spring of 2006. Action alerts will be circulated calling on constituents to contact policymakers about specific issues.

By consistently speaking out about the many facets of FASD and the need for new policies and resources we can make significant progress. Efforts have long been underway to address FASD on Capitol Hill, in state legislatures, in federal and state departments of health, education and justice, among physician and teacher associations, and in many others arenas. These efforts reinforced with the collective will of FASD stakeholders can meet with even greater success, and make a real difference for FASD families and their needs.