FASD Legislation Introduced in U.S. Senate
U.S. Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mark Begich (D-AK) reintroduced the Advancing FASD Research, Prevention, and Services Act on February 7th, calling for continuing attention and investment in the federal response to FASD. The bill reauthorizes activities at the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and includes provisions addressing FASD within the Departments of Education and Justice.
“This devastating disease is entirely preventable, and yet it continues to impact our communities,” said Johnson. “The bill we reintroduced today seeks a balance between directing federal resources to prevention and research activities and services for individuals living with FASD and their families.”
The bill would provide federal grants for pilot projects to determine and implement the best practices for educating children with FASD within school systems, as well as educating professionals about services for children. Funding would also be made available to improve services for individuals who experience trouble with the law and become involved in the Juvenile or criminal justice systems.
Prospects for a companion bill in the House of Representatives are uncertain. NOFAS encourages advocates to contact their U.S. Senators and urge them to consider cosponsoring the legislation.
3 Comments for this entry
Bonnie Buxton
Hello Senator Murkowski
I’m glad to see you are still involved with the issue of FASD. We Canadians are still trying to get warning labels on alcohol beverage containers!
Colleen Ciccarello
Hello Senator Murkowski,
I’m a mom of a 12 year old who has mild FASD and am a member of the Massachusetts FASD Task Force. I’ve been asked to participate on the parent panel of the upcoming state-wide FASD Conference in April and would like to mention this bill. Is there a bill number or fact sheet I can access on-line? Thank you for your support!
Karen Shoemaker
We have custody of nine year old twins with low spectrum fasd. It is very important that as much as possible is done for these children in intervention during pregnancy and education for educators. Many times these children look “normal ” and are thusly expected to act normally. There needs to be more education to ensure these children the best life possible.