HaysKids

The mission of HaysKids is to help individuals with Fetal Alcohol, their parents, and caregivers.  Our heart’s desire is to help reduce the effects of secondary disabilities which are inherent to those with Fetal Alcohol, (such as trouble with the law and imprisonment, inappropriate sexual behavior, mental health issues, homelessness, victimization, unemployment, and early death).

In order to grasp what the HaysKids organization does, you need to have some basic understanding of what the devastating statistics individuals with Fetal Alcohol are up against.  Besides being effected with Fetal Alcohol, 90% have other mental health diagnosis, 80% can not keep a job, over 70% will be confined for either mental health reasons, for alcohol/drug rehab, or crime.  Their biggest problems include being vulnerable to extreme impulsivity, not learning from their mistakes, and choosing friends.  Over 60% will have disrupted school experiences and around 50% will get into legal trouble because of sexual issues.  Fetal Alcohol is non-curable organic brain damage.

We have two different approaches for accomplishing our goals, both of which support each other.  The first is through teaching persons with Fetal Alcohol, their parents, and professionals about the disability, with an emphasis on hands-on techniques.  We are doing this through our website, by writing books and teachings, seminars, DVDs, and one-on-one support.  We are developing programming which includes developing parenting techniques and a school designed for persons with Fetal Alcohol, creating the School of Transition, developing a cognitive thinking program, a pottery studio, and a workbook for individuals who have Fetal Alcohol.  One of our long-term goals is to create an assisted living center for those with Fetal Alcohol.  We desire to become a role model for other centers.  We are also available for “Academic-Based Research for the purpose of understanding and helping both people who have Fetal Alcohol and those working with those with Fetal Alcohol.

HaysKids announces the completion of their largest educational project yet!

“Pathways to Success – A Fetal Alcohol E-Workbook – to be completed by an individual with Fetal Alcohol.”

The purpose of this workbook is to:

• Teach them about Fetal Alcohol.
• Help them understand Fetal Alcohol and how it affects their life.
• Give them tools that they can use to help accomplish their goals.
• Teach them to set goals, use calendars, a to-do list, and a check-off list.
• Create conversation and dialog about their life, hopes, and goals.
• Teach them to “Make a Deal,” so if they ever happen to have problems in major areas, they seek help.
• Help them learn to organize their thinking and their life.
• Give them hope. Just because they cannot do something now, does not mean they will not be able to do it in the future.
• Change their life.
• Help them to realize that at times, nothing seems to make sense.
• Teach them to stay connected, ask for help, accept help, and to be nice.
• This will be hard work, changing is hard work.
• This will only be as effective as they make it.
• This workbook will help them prepare for their future.
• This can be an exciting adventure.

HaysKids major accomplishments since 2003:

• Created written material about parenting techniques specific to FASD and offered instruction to parents and professionals on the topic.
• “Pathways to Success – A Fetal Alcohol E-Workbook – to be completed by an individual with Fetal Alcohol.”  (99 pages)
• Created “Pathways to Understanding”- a DVD for parents and professionals.  Made in conjunction with University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) based in Duluth, Minnesota.
• Created and maintained the “HaysKids” website, which offers Fetal Alcohol instruction, information and resources.
• Created “School of Transition” – which is an educational program for the FASD transitional years.
• Built a pottery studio to create jobs, and teach persons with Fetal Alcohol how to work, including proper work ethics, social and behavioral actions.
• John and Holiday Hays were awarded the 2006 Congressional Angels of Adoption Award for their work with adoptions and Fetal Alcohol.
• Purchased a 9000 sq. foot facility.
• Created gardens for food production, education, and future jobs.

Major recognition and projects to be completed in 2009:

• “Pathways to Success” – a DVD on transitions.
• “Pathways to Success” – CD.
• “Pathways to Success – an e-book for parents and caregivers” (150 + pages).

HaysKids is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Minnesota that is governed by a Board of Directors.  We receive hundreds of volunteer hours each year and we are associated with NOFAS and MOFAS.  Our organization is funded by private donations, by work that we do for a grant from MOFAS, donations from other organizations for specific projects, and earned income, (sale of pottery, speaking fees, etc.).

John Hays is the executive director.  His duties include developing programming, writing educational materials, writing books, teaching school, presenting seminars, farming, building projects, and managing the daily operation.