Taking Action : on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

2006·0.42 MB·English

by  Alberta. Alberta Children's Services

taking action
ON FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER Fall 2009
Alberta FASD
Inside
Message from the Minister Conference
of Children and Youth Services.2
Innovative Program Helps Women Make a Fresh Start.2 Opens Doors
Sharing Strengths: the South Alberta
FASD Service Network.3
Videoconferencing Brings FASD Learning "Awesome conference"is how one When she returned home from the Alberta
participant described Promising Practices, conference, Paula was overwhelmed with
to Communities Across Alberta.3
Promising Futures, the 2009 Alberta FASD all of the information she had received.
IHE Consensus Development Conference.4 Conference hosted by Children and Youth "On a personal level, I took away a better
Services.The approximately 550 participants
Pilot Project Focuses on Early Awareness.4 included people affected by FASD and their understanding of my daughter," Paula stated.
She created a new FASD caregivers support
families or caregivers, service providers
group in her community, and is also using the
(those who provide support) and FASO
information from the Alberta conference to
researchers.The conference was held
on February 12-13,2009, in Edmonton. advocate for updated information, treatment
and supports in Ontario.
"As a parent, I felt like I had gone down
The conference was a unique opportunity
every therapeutic pathway available," said
to connect with other professionals,
attendee Star Newman of Edmonton.
caregivers and service providers to learn
"This conference brought together so many
about the latest developments in FASD
people with a wide variety of experiences...
prevention and treatment.The conference
it made me aware of other therapies
program included a variety of keynote
and possibilities."
speakers, interactive workshops and
Star believes the sessions gave her breakout sessions. Speakers and sessions
information she is now using with her focused on a number of topics, including
daughter, who is living with FASD."(The parenting strategies, mental health and
conference] made me feel like there was animal-assisted therapy.
more I could learn, and it opened a lot of
The next Alberta FASD Conference will
doors that i hadn't yet explored."
be held on February 8-9,2010 in Calgary.
As a result of attending the conference, The two-day conference will feature
Star says she feels more positive about her Keynote speaker Lieutenant-General Romeo
parenting skills and techniques, "as well Dallaire, half-day plenaries with Dr. Bruce
as my daughter's potential for growth and Perry and Dr. Mark Gold, breakout sessions
development despite the diagnosis." and a community showcase.This year’s
conference will also feature a special focus
Another conference participant travelled on strategies for managing caregiver and
to Edmonton from London, Ontario. Paula professional stress. For information, visit
Schuck's adopted daughter was diagnosed www.fasd-cmc. alberta.ca
with FASD a year ago.
"1 wanted to come to the conference,
especially when I saw that Dr. Bruce
Perry was coming," Paula explained. The
conference's keynote speaker. Dr. Perry is
with the Child Trauma Academy, a not-
for-profit organization based in Houston,
In their own words: Texas that promotes innovations in
service, research and education in child
"The conference was quite interesting and very educational." maltreatment and childhood trauma
"Great to see the different presenters and not just FASD basics." (www.ChildTrauma.org). Over the last
"It far exceeded our expectations." fifteen years. Dr. Perry has been an active
teacher, clinician and researcher in children's
"I enjoyed hearing about some of the new research that is going on in the field."
mental health and the neurosciences.
"Well organized with interesting speakers and opportunities to network."
NETWORK, SHARE AND LEARN...
We invite you to join us in this important multidisciplinary conference that will focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
and its impact on individuals, families, communities and society at large. This exciting two-day conference will feature Keynote
speaker Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire, half-day plenaries with Dr. Bruce Perry and Dr. Mark Gold, breakout sessions and
a community showcase. This year's conference will also feature a special focus on caregiver and professional wellbeing.
Promising Practices, Promising Futures
Alberta FASD Conference
CONFERENCE LOCATION: REGISTRATION:
Hyatt Regency Calgary Hotel Registration now open! Please visit For additional information or
February 8-9, 2010 700 Centre Street SE www.fasd-cmc.alberta.ca for more any questions, please contact
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 5P6 information and to register. Amanda Amyotte at 780-422-6494
REGISTER Phone: [phone] or [email protected]
TODAY!
Government of Alberta ■
Message from the
Minister of Children
and Youth Services
Taking Action
On behalf of the Alberta government's Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Cross-Ministry Committee,
I am pleased to introduce the Fall 2009 edition of Taking
Action, highlighting Alberta's successes in FASD programs
and services and exciting new advances in research,
Through our mandate to support strong communities, the Alberta government
is committed to promoting healthy pregnancies, preventing FASD and providing
What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
support to individuals affected by FASD and their families across the lifespan.
Alberta has become a world leader in FASD programs and services, but there (FASD)?
is still a lot to be done.
FASD Is an umbrella term for a number of related disorders caused by prenatal
As part of Alberta's FASD 10-Year Strategic Plan, expansion of FASD Service Networks
has brought local support to people affected by FASD, which is making a difference exposure to alcchoE. In Canada, FASD is the leading cause of developmental delays
in their lives. The plan sets the stage for further action in the years to come by among children - over 3,000 babies are born each year with FASD and over 300,000
outlining collaborative strategies for awareness and prevention, assessment and Canadians are living with this coriditlon.
diagnosis, research and planning, and supports so people with FASD and their The developmental delays associated with FASD can result in lifelong effects on
families have access to the services they need to reach their full potential.
the individuaE, family, and community.These can include learning disabilities,
Families and professionals have been taking part in a learning series offered online hyperactivity, difficulty with attention and memory, impulse control, and difficulty
and via videoconference that is supporting a better understanding of diagnosis problem solving.
and treatment.The Alberta FASD Conference held in February 2009 and the
Consensus Development Conference on FASD: Across the Lifespan held in October Children with FASD can be susceptible to developing secondary disabilities such
2009 were opportunities to learn of the many projects and initiatives taking place as mental heaEth problems including addictions, problems in the education system,
across Alberta in the areas of research, training and innovative services. inappropriate sexual behaviour, and involvement with the criminal justice system.
Alberta has a lot to be proud of. By working together with our partners - There is no known safe amount of alcohol to consume while pregnant If you are
municipalities, community agencies and organizations, the federal government, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, no alcohol is best.
caregivers, educators and medical professionals - we will continue creating
brighter futures for Albertans affected by FASD, our communities and our province.
Innovative Program
Helps Women Make
a Fresh Start
One of the sessions at the February 2009 Participants work with a transition support
annual Alberta FASD Conference, Promising worker during the entire program.
Practices, Promising Futures, featured the
The MndSodySp/rif workshop is based on
Corrections to Community Transitional
Cree philosophies and teachings, and uses
Program run at the Fort Saskatchewan
the Medicine Wheel to help women with
Correctional Centre, northeast of Edmonton.
their emotional and psychological concerns.
The program is targeted to help women
Rebecca Martell, the workshop's facilitator
of Aboriginal background, who are
and founder, is a member of Waterhen
either suspected of or have a confirmed
Lake First Nation. Certified in the field of
diagnosis of FASD, transition back into the
Native addictions, she is also a sessional
community when they are released from
the Correctional Centre. lecturer with the University of Alberta, in "We often talk about transition as providing The University of Alberta does the analysis
the Department of Occupational Therapy. an exterior brain - they need someone and research component of the Corrections
The current program is run four times else to help along the process as their to Community Transition Program. "We can
"We want the women to be able to
a year and takes about eight weeks. After get support from a variety of cultural brain is damaged," says Will. "Vi/e help them see that the transitional worker has had an
the participants are screened and assessed, successfully fit into the community so they impact - the women are staying connected
they do six weeks of group and individual opportunities when they leave the Centre, don't go out, get into trouble and then end with the community resources,"said Sharon.
both in the city and on their reserve,"
therapy, including group psychotherapy up back in jail." "There is no doubt that the results are
and art therapy. Aboriginal Elders are explains Will Smallacombe, Manager of very promising."
involved throughout the process to teach Assessment and Treatment Services at "A highly vulnerable period is when they
participants about Native teachings and the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre. leave the Correctional Centre. If they don't In addition to the 2009 Alberta Conference,
traditions. Participants then do a four-day "Through this program, transition time have the relationship and a safe place to live, Rebecca, Will and Sharon also spoke at an
workshop called Mind Body Spirit, and spend is quite different." they end up on the street,"explains Sharon international FASO conference in Victoria,
a final week reviewing what they learned. Transition support workers help the Brintnell, a professor at the University of B.C, in March 2009.
Alberta in the Department of Occupational
program participants find a place to live, Future plans for the program include adding
Therapy. "We know that individuals living
apply for government financial supports a diagnostic clinic for women, securing
with FASO need a structured, supportive
or Assured Income for the Severely long-term funding and expanding the
environment. They need repetition and
Handicapped (AISH) and access further program to include non-Aboriginai women.
structure to succeed."
assessments and treatment if needed.
taking action
Sharing Strengths: the South Alberta
FASD Service Network
"It takes more than one person or one Liz Dolman, Executive Director for
agency to bring structure and success to the Southwest Regions at McMan, says the
life of an individual living with FASD" says Network has helped bring a common .As part of the Government of
Lynette Taal of Lethbridge Family Services. understanding to the community. "We're ASberta FASD 10-Year Strategic
PEan, the FASD Service Network
While not the official description, this ail talking about v/hat we can do in our Program provides a single
describes the philosophy and working community to make the lives of people point of access for services
power behind the 12 Alberta FASD Service with FASD more happy and functioning." and resources for Individuals
Networks. It’s the philosophy upon v/hich
the largest and longest-running network in "The NetVi/ork is beneficial in that there seeking assistance regarding
the province is based. are so many services represented at the FASD across Alberta. There are
network meetings,"says Lynette. "The currentSy 12 Networks operating
The South Alberta FASD Service Network netv/ork presents a united front as to what across the province. For more
serves the community of Lethbridge and we are going to try to do.''The resulting information on the Alberta
surrounding areas. Before the Netv,/orkwas FASD Service Networks, visit
support for individuals in the community
formed, agencies in the Lethbridge area had www.fasd-cmc.aSberta.ca
living with FASD is the ultimate success
developed a Coordinating Committee. The
group hosted an inter-agency conference of the South Alberta FASD Network.
in 1993, one of the first of its kind, to find
out more about FASD. "Anyone who was
involved with what they thought was FASD
came," explains Hazel Mitchell, the network's Videoconferencing Brings
coordinator. Organizers hoped for 125
participants; 750 people showed up.
As a result of the overwhelming response FASD Learning to Communities
to the 1993 conference, the Coordinating
Committee began sponsoring training and
programs such as FirstSteps, a mentorship Across Alberta
program for mothers or babies from birth
to three months affected by FASD.
The FirstSteps program has now grown to
support families with children aged from Children and Youth Services provided Sessions were hosted approximately every The group is also working on a series
birth to three years old. The South Alberta several FASD Learning Series sessions via two weeks throughout the last year. Some of for employers, and sessions related to
FASD Network has also developed a youth videoconference to an average of 75 sites the sessions offered in summer 2009 included: cultural issues."We're trying to buiid on the
justice program, now considered a best in Alberta and across Canada 20D8-D9. The Living with FASD - As a Person, As a Parent; information we’ve bean providing - each
pTa'aice program across North America. ’various scions are designed for specific FASD and Practice: Issues for Prosecutors; session goes into more depth,"she adds.
"When the government cross-ministry audiences, such as parents and caregivers, and Money Management FASD Style. "We're moving forward with more specialized
ac onmetmwoitrtkee, w asek headd u ds oton ec osnosmidee srt froatremgiincg cpoemopmleu inni ttyh eag Jeunstciicees ,s yhsetaelmth, gporovfeersnsimoneanlts , Wanda Seiand is based in High Level and tarnadin hinega,l tthar, gjuesttiincge saoncdia el mseprlvoiyceerss,. e" ducation
planning,"explains Hazel."We had plans staff, educators and researchers. iNs ocurtrhrwenetslyt FthAeSD F ASSoDci Cetoyo -r dMinaactkoern fzoire the Erin Day is the E-Learning Coordinator with
and we had capacity."
Network. She is parenting three children Children and Youth Services. On the day of
The South Alberta FASD Network who have been diagnosed under the the sessions, Erin is on site with the speaker
officially began in 2007-2008, and serves spectrum."! was looking desperately for to set up the technical components and to
approximate^ 157,000 people in an area resources," explains Wanda of how she coordinate with the film crew."The biggest
covering 26,000 km^ including two First got involved initiaily. misconception is that it is always going to
Nations reserves. A 14-person Leadership go perfectly,"she says, adding that patience
Team meets once a month, and a five-person "The sessions reinforced what we were and a good sense of humour are needed
executive meets regularly.The group's doing, or brought back things that had gone while linking that many sites.
by the wayside/'says Wanda. "They really
current focus is on building capacity for the
provide a boost - they give real support for Ail sessions are available for viewing online
entire lifespan of an individual living with
our family and others in the region." approximately two weeks later. "Each session
FASD. "To do that, everyone in the field
is recorded and posted as soon as we can,"
needs to know one another," says Hazel. Wanda is very supportive of the Erin explains."Then the information is right
Laura Elliott, an FASD outreach worker videoconference series.'The sessions are there at your fingertips."
all good in different ways as each Is specific
with McMan Youth, Family and Community
to a certain topic or area," says Wanda. "All Future plans for the FASD Learning Series
Services Association, appreciates that the
of them are reaiiy good starting places to also include making DVDs of the sessions,
Network provides services in all areas of
obtain support." a plan that Wanda readily supports. "It
a person's life.
would be great If everyone could access
"We talk about how Important it is to cover Jean Anderson is the Director of Education the videoconferencing sessions,"she says.
FASD throughout the lifespan, and to do and Program Development with CASA Child, "But even better would be to take the
that you have to have everyone at the Adolescent and Family Mental Health. Jean information into a caregiver's home, so
table. In Lethbridge, we have that,"says and her team develop the list of session they can watch it and then ask questions."
topics, find the presenters, promote and
Laura."When you have a chance to meet
evaluate the sessions. That broad information-sharing, and the
together like we do, your outcomes are
resulting discussions and support for
much mors strategic." "We're targeting not Just people in the field individuals living with FASD and their
but also people who don't think of themselves caregivers, is how the FASD Learning Series
associated v/ith FASD, but who can reaiiy have has made an impact with those who may
a positive impact-teachers, primary nurses otherwise be unable to access training.
and doctors/'explains Jean."These are people Increasingly, the technology removes
who have a major role to play in the life of barriers of time, money and distance.
a person living with FASD but who may not
know enough about it to recognize the signs
or know what to do about it."
The FASD Learning Series Is part of the Alberta governmerst's commitment to
programs and services for people affected by FASD and those who support
them. To download the sessions, visit www.fasd-emc.alberta.ca and click
on "Education ar^d Training"
Panel Calls for National Agenda
to Address Impact of FASD
A panel of experts, led by former Deputy Prime Minister, The Honourable
Anne McLellan, is recommending a wide ranging series of actions in the
areas of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research related to Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The recommendations are the result
of deliberations at the IHE Consensus Development Consensus on FASD:
Across the Lifespan held October 7-9,2009 in Edmonton.
The panel of health professionals, academics, and public representatives are calling on
federal and provincial governments to develop and promote policies to help improve
programs, services and outcomes for people living with FASD. Recommendations include:
• A national primary prevention strategy including education about the effects and risks
of alcohol and birth control;
• Pre-planned transitions from child to adult services to allow for effective wraparound
services that will support individuals and families and communities at each stage of life;
• Establishing data registries in every province to increase the capacity for national
screening, diagnosis, and reporting of FASD;
• Requiring messaging about FASD in pregnancy testing kits and in contraceptive
packages; and
• Working with physicians and other health care providers to take advantage of A copy of the full recommendations is available at www.ihe.ca
teachable moments to discuss the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
The IHE Consensus Development Conference on FASD was hosted by the Institute of
Health Economics and the Government of Alberta with support from the Public Health
Agency of Canada. Government of Alberta ■
Pilot Project Focuses on Early Awareness
that there is already a high level awareness campaign that would then be delivered
of FASD and drinking,"explained Andrea. in the community, and will inform future
"What we're trying to find out is what planning for local services and programs.
is needed to help people change the
behaviours that are causing FASD."
As part of the preliminary stage, the project
ran two focus groups in the area during Over the past six years, the
June 2009.The first group was with women Alberta Centre for Child, Family
aged 18-39 who were not pregnant, to and Community Research has
identify their needs in supporting healthy conducted several studies on
pregnancies. After presenting background FASD that focus ©n informing
information on FASD, as well as the social policy decisions. Over 40 studies
and economic costs, the group role-played can be found on their websits
finding themselves pregnant well into their at www.researchAchlidren.
first trimester. com/admin/contentx/defauSt.
€fm?Pageld--Sfi33.
"We're trying to take it to the next level, to find
out the actual needs in this community,"says
Andrea. "It's time to take a more community-
based approach, in terms of education and
how to look after individuals affected by FASD."
Four easy steps to free FASD materials!
The second focus group consisted of
The Alberta Centre for Child, Family and primary care service providers - health
Community Research is currently working care professionals, addiaions counsellors, H. 0© to www.chiid.aiberta.ca/fasd
with Children and Youth Services and pharmacists and others who may interact with 2. Sslect"Gett5ng Heip"fr0m the menu
several partners, including the University individuals living with FASD, such as teachers 3. Click on "FASD Information and Resources"
of Alberta, on a preconception awareness and lawyers. This group discussed their level
4. Click on the link to order publications online and complete the order form
and prevention project in Fort McMurray. of comfort in discussing FASD with clients and
OR click on the link to print the order form, and fax or mail to:
how to take a more community-based and
"We facilitate the project's Advisory integrated approach to preventing FASD. Children and Youth Services
Committee and coordinate the research," c/o Alberta Corporate Service Centre - Forms Services
said Tara Hanson, Director of Operations "We're doing basically a needs assessment 4th Floor, Centre West Building, 10035-108 Street, Edmonton AB T5J 3E1
of the Centre. for the advisory committee,"says Andrea. Fax: [phone]
Andrea Werner-Leonard is with the AMfctMer urrurnayn,i nAgn tdhreea t wanod f ohceur st egarmou wpsil li nb eF ort VAdditional resource_s are available at wIww.fasd-cZmc.a5berta.ca and di_ck on "Links" J
Population Research Lab at the University
writing a report, creating a literature review,
of Alberta. "The premise [of the project] is
and presenting their findings to the project's
Advisory Committee.
The feedback received on their findings
This publication was produced by the Alberta Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Cross-Ministry
will provide direction in planning the Committee (FASD-CMC). For more information on FASD. please contact Alberta Children and
most appropriate and effective awareness Youth Services at 780-415-8150 or visit www.fasd-cmc.alberta.ca.