Programs

NOFAS fulfills its goals through a range of programmatic initiatives and activities serving diverse audiences.

NOFAS Clearinghouse and Media Center
The state-of-the-art information and referral clearinghouse develops and disseminates prevention messages and materials, responds to specific requests, and maintains the FASD resource directory. The clearinghouse also publishes the NOFAS Weekly Roundup and other publications, maintains nofas.org, and houses an historical archive of FASD information and materials.

The media center addresses FASD in traditional, entertainment and social media. Through the center, NOFAS monitors print and electronic media coverage of alcohol and pregnancy and FASD, develops targeted news advisories and press releases, and pitches FASD themes and storylines to writers and editors. NOFAS has an active and growing presence on social media sites Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, and in 2013 is developing a seminar for entertainment writers.

Many facets of the clearinghouse and media center are supported through a cooperative agreement with the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention in Community Health Centers
The multi-year collaboration with Children’s Research Triangle at select Community Health Center (CHC) clinical sites trains practitioners about FASD and alcohol SBI and screens both pregnant and non-pregnant women for alcohol use disorders.

Circle of Hope
The Circle of Hope (COH) is an international peer mentoring birth mother’s network consisting of FASD birth mothers and women who used alcohol during pregnancy.

Family Support
NOFAS assists FASD families with access to resources and services. Family support also consists of a Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area support group, consumer advocacy, and technical assistance for family advocates.

Affiliate and Stakeholders Networks
The 36-member NOFAS affiliate network shares information and resources and functions as a coalition to promote primary prevention and the policy agenda. The network’s advocacy activities are supported by members of the Friends of NOFAS, a group of individual FASD stakeholders.

Collaborative Initiative on FASD (CIFASD)
NOFAS is a partner in the largest FASD clinical research consortium, the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CIFASD). NOFAS provides the consortium’s educational and marketing component, bringing the research findings to policymakers, public health professionals, multidisciplinary service providers, and the public.

Medical and Allied Health Student Curriculum
Developed in 1993, comprehensive coursework for professional education students on all facets of alcohol and pregnancy and FASD using the bio/psycho/social model of disease is presented at Northwestern and Georgetown University Medical Schools and other professional programs.

Smart Moms, Healthy Babies
Proceeds from the annual Smart Moms, Healthy Babies benefit help NOFAS inform expectant mothers about healthy habits during pregnancy, such as good general health, early and regular prenatal visits, good nutrition, proper fitness, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco.

The 2nd annual Smart Moms, Healthy Babies event will be held in September 2013 and will feature the latest maternity and children’s clothes, celebrate healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, and recognize International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day. Help NOFAS celebrate wise choices for expectant moms and the beauty of a healthy baby by serving on the planning committee and/or pledging to sponsor the benefit or donating an item for the silent auction. Contact Katelyn Reitz to learn more.

Kindergarten through 12th Grade FASD Curriculum
The curriculum provides age-appropriate information about the consequences of prenatal alcohol consumption while simultaneously encouraging students to be tolerant and accepting of all people regardless of individual capabilities or disabilities. The curriculum consists of four, 30-45 minute units offering teachers the opportunity to easily integrate information on FASD and disabilities in a single-class format.

Public Awareness Campaigns
Public health campaigns include television and radio public service announcements, transit advertising, prevention materials, professional training and other multi-media components tailored for specific markets and target audiences.

Presentations, Trainings and Seminars
NOFAS reaches many thousands of professionals and advocates each year through a range of presentations and exhibits sponsored by NOFAS or as part of other conferences and meetings.

Web-Based Training and Certification
This year, NOFAS will offer web-based FASD training for medical and allied health professionals, and a NOFAS certification for FASD trainers.

Policy Agenda
NOFAS advances non-legislative policy issues in conjunction with its affiliates and other FASD advocates. NOFAS also seeks consensus among leaders in the FASD community on issues challenging the field.

Legislative Agenda
NOFAS advocates for increased attention to FASD in a range of federal legislation addressing women’s and children’s health, substance abuse, mental health, intellectual disabilities, education, juvenile and criminal justice, independent and transitional living, employment for the disabled and victims of crime. NOFAS also supports state legislation advanced by its affiliates.

Partnerships
NOFAS maintains official and unofficial partnerships with numerous organizations and associations focused on developmental disabilities, women and children’s issues, health care professionals, and other issues compatible with the NOFAS mission. Partners include: