NOTES FROM NOFAS
The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
June, 2006
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.
TOP STORIES
NOFAS Conducts FASD Web cast
On May 11th, Kathy Mitchell presented a web cast titled "Preventing the Leading Known Cause of Fetal Brain Damage: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)" for the Clinical Director's Network (CDN). The web cast was geared towards educating healthcare professionals about the role they play in preventing FASD and motivating them to do so.
CDN is dedicated to providing and improving comprehensive and accessible community-oriented primary and preventive health care services for poor, minority, and underserved populations. CDN is the only practice-based research network in the country devoted to providing primary care research opportunities to medically underserved populations. You can view the web cast at: http://www.cdnetwork.org/NewCDN/LibraryView.aspx?ID=cdn296
NOFAS May Events
NOFAS Vice President and National Spokesperson Kathy Mitchell presented at several conferences and workshops during the month of May.
- May 17th: Presented at the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness, Prevention & Early Intervention Conference in Tinley Park, IL. The conference was sponsored by The ARC of Illinois.
- May 23rd: Presented at the Preventing FASD Conference in Halowell, ME. The conference was sponsored by the State of Maine and the AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc.
- May 24th: Presented at the "Celebrating Women in Recovery" Tea hosted by the Maine Women's Addiction Services Council. Governor John Baldacci and First Lady Karen Baldacci of Maine attended the event and proclaimed May 21-27, 2006 as Women and Substance Abuse Recovery Awareness Week for the State of Maine.
NOFAS Responds to HBO
NOFAS sent a letter to HBO and the producers of the popular HBO series “Sopranos” after a recent episode depicted a woman, who had just announced her pregnancy, drinking a glass of a wine at a family dinner. NOFAS will continue to respond when the issue of drinking during pregnancy–both positive and negative–appears in print, television, film, and the internet. We urge you to do the same.
Ordering Materials on the NOFAS Website
We are in the process of updating our online shopping cart program and are temporarily unable to process credit card transactions. If you would like to order materials, please call 800-66NOFAS and we will be happy to assist you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Help us keep our National Resource Directory Updated
We are continuously updating our resource directory but need your help. The Directory is online at http://www.nofas.org/resource/directory.aspx Please view the listings for your State, particularly the FASD Diagnostic Resources, and let us know of any additions or changes. Your help will enable us to provide more accurate information for parents and caregivers across the country looking for local support and treatment resources. Email updates to Terrell@nofas.org
What’s New!
Two products from the new NOFAS K-12 Curriculum are now available!
NOFAS has been diligently working on a school-based curriculum that will educate youth in grades K-12 with age-appropriate information about the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure. It also teaches youth to be tolerant and accepting of all individuals regardless of their capabilities or disabilities.
We are pleased to announce that the Story Book and Brain Models are now available.
Story Book For Kids
The book titled Karli and the Star of the Week is for students in grades K-2 and is available from NOFAS for $5.00. Discounts for bulk orders. Please call 1-800-66NOFAS to order or for more information.
The Brain
The brain 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. A laminated card (see below) accompanies the model. This teaching aid is available for $75. Please call 1-800-66NOFAS to order or for more information.
Research Briefs
Binge Drinking During Pregnancy as a Predictor of Psychiatric Disorders on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV in Young Adult Offspring
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/163/6/1061
Alcohol Consumption And The Outcomes Of Pregnancy
http://www.rcog.org.uk/resources/Public/pdf/alcohol_pregnancy_rcog_statement5a.pdf
Light-to-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to cognitive deficits 10 years later
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-05/ace-lpa051806.php
Upcoming Conferences and Events
Here are a few events happening in the upcoming months. Know of an event in your area? We would be delighted to post it on our website. Please submit information to terrell@nofas.org
2006 CityMatCH Urban Maternal and Child Health Leadership Conference
August 20-22, 2006
Providence, Rhode Island
http://www.citymatch.org/Conferences/Conf2006/index.htm
International FASD Awareness Day
September 9, 2006
The 2006 Northwest Regional FASD Conference
October 5-6, 2006
Lynwood, WA
New Video Available in the NOFAS eStore
This 22 minute video explaining FASD includes interviews with experts, families and children affected by FASD. The video was produced by NOFAS UK.
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