This Month NOFAS will Sponsor a Special Audio Conference on FASD
NOFAS will be hosting a special audio conference on FASD through the CityMatCH E-MCH teleconference series on September 21 from
3:00–4:30 PM (EST). CityMatCH and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) co-sponsor and present: Emerging Issues in MCH -- A successful series of monthly interactive audio-conferences highlighting research and information on pressing MCH concerns. National experts, guest presenters, and local/state public health practitioners come together to discuss current research, national policy, and local programs in practice on an announced topic. An interactive question and answer period offers all participants opportunities to query and comment.
The program is conducted entirely over the telephone, making it accessible to a wide audience. Materials to accompany the presentations are posted on the CityMatCH website for download prior to the call. Registration is free at http://www.citymatch.org/ Click on "E-MCH Audio Conference" in the left-hand column.
NOFAS is very pleased to be sponsoring this call. We believe that CityMatCH and NACCHO members—representatives from local and state health departments—are an essential audience to reach with the FASD message. They oversee large systems of care that provide healthcare services to women and children every day and have the potential to help prevent FASD and improve the lives of individuals with FASD.
Speakers on this call will be:
- Sister Suzette Fisher,
SND, EdS, Education Specialist, DOUBLE ARC in Toledo, OH
- Cheryl Lauber, DPA, MSN,
Michigan State FASD Coordinator
- Sandra King,
Project Coordinator,
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Project Detroit (MI) Dept of Health and Wellness Promotion
- Lynn Kleiman, MSW, MLSW, Program Manager-Special MCH Projects,
Detroit (MI) Dept of Health and Wellness Promotion
CityMatCH is a national membership organization of city and county health departments' maternal and child health (MCH) programs and leaders representing urban communities in the United States. The mission of CityMatCH is to improve the health and well-being of urban women, children and families by strengthening the public health organizations and leaders in their communities. Please join us for what we are sure will be an interesting and informative call.
NOFAS Spreads the FASD Message to the Illinois Department of Corrections
NOFAS VP Kathy Mitchell recently spoke to incarcerated women at the Decatur Correctional Center and addiction treatment staff from the the Illinois Department of Corrections. Incarcerated women, and the staff that work with them, are an important audience for FASD education.
The Decatur Correctional Facility is a medium-security facility for female offenders. The facility offers female offenders a variety of programs aimed at achieving these goals that also address the diverse needs of the offenders, including medical, social, psychological and educational needs. The facility houses the Wells Center, an on-site addiction treatment program and it was with this group of 250 women that Kathy shared her story and information about FASD.
Women in substance abuse treatment programs are at high risk for having alcohol-exposed children, both from past and future pregnancies. Alcohol use/abuse is high among offenders. It is estimated that 70 to 85 percent of inmates need
substance abuse treatment. In addition, approximately one in four women are either pregnant
or postpartum when they enter prison. Kathy explained how alcohol effects the developing fetus, the long term effects of FASD on individuals and families, what to do if a mother thinks her child may have FASD, and the importance of staying sober to advocate for your children.
Kathy also conducted a workshop for the the Illinois Department of Corrections and Addiction Treatment staff. Women in correctional facilities are at an increased risk of having an FASD themselves. Behavioral impairments due to FASD make affected individuals more likely to get in trouble with the law and wind up in correctional facilities. Once incarcerated, their cognitive deficits and behavioral problems can interfere with rehabilitation. Therefore it is essential that staff know how to recognize the characteristics and behaviors of persons with FASD and how to refer them for appropriate assessment and treatment. Kathy discussed the treatment and management issues that need to be addressed when working with adults with FASD and techniques to treat women with addictive disease.
The tone of the sessions was one of hope and empowerment and both audiences found the presentations to be highly educational and moving.
NOFAS participates in the 4th Annual FASD Summer Camp
In 2002 Julie Gelo, President of NOFAS Washington and a parent of several children with FASD thought about organizing a camp exclusively for individuals with FASD. Since then, she and several other dedicated volunteers have successfully organized four summer camp sessions.
This year over 50 children of all ages and their parents attended the 5-day camp. The camp site located in Sultan, WA, provided a beautiful setting for children and parents alike. The children participated in activities such as mini golf, swimming, arts and crafts, performances, and a carnival while the parents attended workshops on coping with the challenges of raising children with FASD and how to advocate for their children to ensure that their needs are being met in an educational and social service system that is often difficult to navigate.
Diane, a parent of seven children with FASD remarked, “The camp is always a great experience for our kids. Here they are all equal and no one is treated differently. It’s a place that our kids remember all year long and cherish the friendships they have made during these five days.”
Julie Gelo and NOFAS Washington have developed a strong support network for this camp. A team of volunteers both part-time and full-time help to organize and conduct the activities and help care for the children. NOFAS’ Director of Public Affairs, Nav Dayanand volunteered at the camp this year. Nav remarked, “I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to spend time with these amazing children. I’ve truly been touched by the lives of so many endearing, tireless and committed people.”
NOFAS Washington has come a long way since they first started in 2005. In addition to organizing the camp for the last four summers, they are all set to host the first Northwest Pacific Regional FASD Conference this October. NOFAS Washington has become a valuable resource to the community. The upcoming conference will have attendees from Alaska, Oregon, Washington State and delegates from as far as Australia and other countries. NOFAS Vice President, Kathy Mitchell will be conducting several workshops and participating in panel discussions. More information on NOFAS Washington and the FASD Conference is available at: www.nofaswa.org
NOFAS is Pleased to Announce New Materials
Making A Difference: The FASD Public Awareness Guide
The long awaited Public Awareness Guide is completed and will be available on-line shortly at: http://www.nofas.org/resource/
The Public Awareness Guide is designed to help you reach community members, service systems, and the media with the FASD prevention message and to advocate for services for individuals with FASD. For years NOFAS has been fielding calls, letters and emails from tens of thousands of concerned individuals seeking information, resources and help about the risks and consequences of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
People who contact NOFAS come from all walks of life and have a broad variety of needs. Often they are looking for ways to get involved in the issue and their motivation to be an advocate is as varied and unique as they are. In responding to such requests over the years NOFAS has amassed a wealth of information on effective strategies and state-of-the-art resources. This guide is a way for NOFAS to share the organization’s ideas and knowledge with other FASD advocates.
The Guide is 116 pages and provides information and facts about FASD, tips and strategies for reaching a variety of audiences (school system, media, justice system, etc), real world examples of successful programs, tools and resources.
Public Awareness Posters
Updated versions of our popular "Giver Her A Message" and "Can You Tell She Has Brain Damage" Posters. Posters are available for diverse audiences. Please visit our eStore for pictures and descriptions, www.nofas.org/estore. Click on Posters. $5.00.
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