NOFAS is Pleased to Announce Three New Affiliates
The NOFAS Affiliate Network has grown to a total of 11 state and international organizations. Our newest additions are located in Upstate NY, Illinois, and North Carolina.
NOFAS Upstate New York was established by the The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence- Rochester Area (NCADD-RA) a program of DePaul Addiction Services. NCADD-RA provides research-based substance abuse prevention services to a diverse population through education, support, resources, advocacy and referral. As a member of the National Intervention Network, their staff work with family members to help find assistance for their chemically-dependent loved one. NCADD-RA also provides a wide array of training opportunities for school and community professionals, lay people, and professionals in the health and human services community. For Information on NCADD-RA, please visit: http://www.nydas.org/ncadd.htm
NOFAS North Carolina was established by Fullerton Genetics Center (FGC) in Ashville, NC. The Center, part of Mission Hospitals, has an FASD diagnostic and treatment clinic aimed at improving the adaptive functioning of children suspected to have an FASD and improving the quality of the relationship between the affected child and his or her family. The FGC provides genetic counseling services for the 16 counties in Western North Carolina, including the Eastern Band Cherokee population. The FGC works with the FASD Center for Excellence as a subcontractor on a project to provide services and outreach to children. This initiative targets children from birth to 10 years of age in the region. For more information, please visit: http://missionhospitals.org/genetics.htm
NOFAS Illinois was established by Trinity Services Inc. Trinity, a nonprofit, non-sectarian organization, was founded in 1950 as the Trinity School in Joliet, Illinois, by a group of parents of children with developmental disabilities. Until 1987 Trinity remained a school for children and adults with mental retardation. Since then, Trinity has grown to include a wide range of programs, supports, and services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and/or behavioral health needs. In addition to the school, Trinity Services now provides residential services, adult learning programs, behavioral health programs, supportive employment, and a host of support businesses. Trinity serves more than 1,400 people in the south and northwest suburban regions of Chicago, Illinois, as well as northern Nevada.For more information on Trinity, please visit: http://www.trinity-services.org/home.htm
NOFAS is excited to be bringing these new affiliate organizations on board. For more information on the NOFAS Affiliate Network, please visit: http://www.nofas.org/about/affiliate.aspx
National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day
On July 12, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, a resolution (S. Res. 499) designating September 9, 2006, as “National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day. The resolution was sponsored by NOFAS friend and FASD champion Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
The first FASD Day was held on September 9, 1999. This day was chosen so that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol. FASD advocates around the country, and world, celebrate the Day by ringing bells at 9:09 AM and holding special awareness events. International FAS Awareness Day was founded by Bonnie Buxton and Brian Philcox of FASworld and Teresa Kellerman of Fasstar. They created the website http://www.fasday.com/ to spread awareness of the Day and provide information and resources to other groups who might want to hold their own events.
NOFAS Affiliates are planning activities to commemorate the day. NOFAS-South Dakota will hold a press conference in conjunction with the State of South Dakota highlighting the FASD prevention and intervention efforts on all levels throughout the state. In addition, NOFAS-SD will provide information on FAD to a number of the statewide television stations and asked for on-air recognition. NOFAS-SD will connect with the religious communities in the largest city in the state to ask them to recognize the importance of the day by participating in an international bell concordance. These entities will also be asked to post FASD awareness information in their weekly bulletin. NOFAS-SD has updated its webpage, www.usd.edu/cd/fasdday.cfm, to recognize this international day of awareness and to disseminate FASD information to consumers. Throughout the time leading up to and after FASD Day, NOFAS-SD will be disseminating materials on the prevalence and effect of FASD on the South Dakota.
Please visit http://www.fasday.com/ to find events in your area and how to get involved.
High School Student Makes a Difference
North Carolina student Jessica Denning organized and held a successful golf fundraising event with proceeds going to NOFAS. The event took place April 14th in Four Oaks, NC and successfully raised almost $2,000.
Jessica created promotional materials, solicited corporate sponsors, and held an awards dinner following the tournament. NOFAS supplied t-shirts and various educational and awareness materials.
Jessica chose this issue after learning about FASD and the impact it has on children and families. She plans to pursue a career in the health field. NOFAS sincerely thanks her for the generous donation and for helping raise awareness of FASD.
Kathy Mitchell and Daughter Karli to be Featured in Television Show
Kathy and Karli will share their stories and experiences living with FASD for a news segment on a New York City TV station. The interview will be conducted by Mary Murphy, an Emmy award-winning journalist, and will air sometime mid to late August on New York's WB11 (WPIX-TV). WPIX is the flagship station of The WB Television Network, and is seen in over 10 million homes through over-the-air and satellite distribution.
Susan Rose, Director of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Support Network of New York City and Long Island (FASSN Inc.) and prospective NOFAS Affiliate facilitated the interview by connecting WPIX with NOFAS. FASSN provides information and referrals to FASD diagnostic services, behavioral health providers who work with children and adults with FASD, and family support services.
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