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NOFAS has developed a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide FASD certification and Continuing Education Units (CEU) to addiction and other allied health professionals who serve or plan to serve people with FASD.
The course is adapted from the FASD Curriculum for Addiction Professionals developed by NOFAS and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Center for Excellence. The original framework comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) FASD Regional Training Centers (RTC) project and the NOFAS medical school curriculum.
Purpose
To increase the knowledge about FASD among eligible professionals and provide them with certification and Continuing Education Units (CEU), so that they may prevent FASD with high-risk women and counsel adolescent and adult clients with FASD.
Audience
Allied health providers, mental health providers, educators, criminal justice and addiction professionals.
Eligibility
The curriculum is relevant to professionals that serve or plan to serve clients with FASD. Participants are assumed to have an existing certification or license in alcohol and substance abuse counseling, or other relevant discipline, or two years experience or more working in a clinical practice or agency serving populations affected by addiction. The curriculum may also be relevant for non-professionals. Non-professionals will receive a certificate of completion from NOFAS (see below), although they would not be eligible for CEUs or to counsel individuals in a professional capacity.
Continuing Education Units (CEU)
A CEU is a unit of credit in continuing education programs, particularly those required in a licensed profession in order for the professional to maintain the license. Examples of people who need CEUs include educators, nurses, mental health professionals, and social workers. CEU records are widely used to provide evidence of completion of continuing education requirements mandated by certification bodies, professional societies, or governmental licensing boards.
Non-professionals are not eligible for CEUs and they are generally of no value to them. However, the content of the NOFAS curriculum is important information that will enhance the knowledge base for anyone interested in FASD.
NOFAS is offering a total of twenty-two (22) CEUs for completion of all components of the FASD curriculum
Certification
In addition to CEUs, individuals completing the curriculum will receive a certification or certificate of completion from NOFAS. The certification will formally recognize the successful completion of the coursework and the participant's comprehensive knowledge of FASD.
Format
The curriculum consists of two main units: Level 1, a knowledge-based model that is completed on-line; and Level 2, a skills based model that is completed in a two-day in-person training sponsored by NOFAS.
Level 1
Level 1 is a self-paced, web-based program. The course includes readings, activities, and quizzes. The quizzes and activities are to help you understand the content and apply the knowledge. The course should take approximately 6 hours to complete and has been approved for 6 CEUs. Please note that you must submit all completed pretests, posttests, and activity sheets in order to complete Level 1 and register for a Level 2 training.
After completion of Level 1 participants will be expected to:
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FASD Foundation: Understand the history and the basic science of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD);
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Identification of FASD and Diagnosis of FAS: Understand the diagnostic process, the referral process, and appropriate resources for assessing clients;
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Treatment Strategies for Working with Clients with FASD: Understand counseling approaches and strategies for working with adults, adolescents, and children;
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Prevention of FASD and Addiction: Understand the addiction process and FASD prevention strategies for women with addictions;
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Continuing Care of Families Affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Identify supportive services for long-term care; and,
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Legal Issues: Understand the legal issues related to FASD.
Level 2
Level 2 is a two-day training workshop. Participants receive sixteen CEUs upon completion. Workshops will be scheduled regionally and according to demand beginning in summer 2009.
After completion of Level 2 participants will be expected to:
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FASD Foundation:
Demonstrate and teach the history and the basic science of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders (FASD);
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Identification of FASD and Diagnosis of FAS: Demonstrate knowledge of the diagnostic process, the referrals process, and appropriate resources for assessing clients;
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Treatment Strategies for Working with Clients with an FASD: Provide and teach counseling approaches and strategies for working with adults, adolescents, and children;
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Prevention: Develop and teach FASD prevention strategies for substance-abusing women of childbearing age;
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Continuing Care of Families Affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Provide and teach resources for supportive services for long-term care;
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Legal Issues: Teach the legal issues related to FASD.
Cost
The cost for Level 1 is $80. Payment may be made and the course may be completed on the NOFAS website. The registration fee for a Level 2 training workshop is $480 (travel and other expenses not included).
Getting Started
The web-based Level 1 is in the final stages of development and will be accessible shortly. In the meantime, please contact Bri Montgomery, montgomery@nofas.org, to be alerted when Level 1 is available, or if you have any questions.
Acknowledgements
The SAMHSA FASD Center for Excellence created the pre and post tests and activities found in each competency.
Continue to Competency 1
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