Latest News
We will be hosting Teen & Parent Support Groups
Starting in October!
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Last April, we helped to sponsor a teen, Sierra, who attended the International Conference for Adolescents and Adults with FASDs in Vancouver, BC. She and her mom, Traci, returned with great enthusiasm and ideas for what might be possible in Alaska. One of their ideas was to create a teen and parent support group in Alaska, mirroring similar programs that have been successful in Canada.
With Sierra and Traci's help, we are excited to announce the launch of our first teen and parent/caregiver support group meetings on Monday, October 22nd 6:30-8:00 pm at the BP Energy Center in Anchorage. The participating teens (ages 13-18) MUST know about their FASD diagnosis and be able to interact appropriately with their peers in a group size of up to 20. The parents invited to participate in the parent group are the caregivers for these teens. We intend to spend time during the first meeting to share Sierra and Traci's experiences from Vancouver and to gather information about what the groups might desire for the future programs. Space will be limited! If you are interested in participating in or making a referral to this group, please contact us at: info@alaskacenterforfasd.org |
Meet Our Awesome
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We Have Big Future Plans!
In 2018, we will move forward with programs like:
- Educating health care and related field providers and the public about FASD, with topics like:
- Begin efforts to break down stigma as a barrier to the recognition of FASD,
- Inform medical providers and the public about the basics of alcohol the teratogen and why use in pregnancy is a bad idea, and
- Explore and share the lived experience of having an FASD and of raising a child with an FASD.
- Partnering with other non-profits and programs working in areas relevant to FASD prevention and early intervention efforts
- Creating a forum for those with FASD and their families to promote their strengths, support their difficulties and help them to connect with and inform each other about their success and challenges
- Gather information about existing resources for families in order to:
- Help families connect with what is already out there, and
- Identify gaps that the Center could work on filling in the future.
- And of course, growing the Center’s organizational capacity, including raising money and developing a network of volunteers!
Accomplishments So Far...
In 2017, we conducted a community-needs assessment with the help of many amazing community members who participated in seven topic-oriented workgroups. The seven topics were:
If you are interested in the community-needs assessment findings (either for a specific topic's findings or our cumulative findings), email us at info(at)alaskacenterforfasd.org or use our Contact Form!
In November, our board of directors underwent a strategic planning process to determine how the organization should grow in the next 5 years, and is currently working on finalizing the details. When the final report is completed, it will be posted on the website, and we welcome your feedback and comments!
- Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)
- Early recognition & intervention
- Support for individuals with FASDs and their families
- Challenges that adults with FASDs face
- Issues related to the educational system
- Issues related to the criminal justice and legal systems
- Issues related to the behavioral health system
If you are interested in the community-needs assessment findings (either for a specific topic's findings or our cumulative findings), email us at info(at)alaskacenterforfasd.org or use our Contact Form!
In November, our board of directors underwent a strategic planning process to determine how the organization should grow in the next 5 years, and is currently working on finalizing the details. When the final report is completed, it will be posted on the website, and we welcome your feedback and comments!
