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VICTORIA – A new Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) provincial plan highlights B.C.’s accomplishments to date and provides a framework to guide efforts over the coming decade, Children and Family Development Minister Tom Christensen announced today in Prince George.
“Building on the work of the Province’s first strategic plan in 2003, nine provincial government ministries worked collaboratively to contribute to this long-term vision for FASD prevention, early identification and support,” said Christensen. “It’s important that ministries, health authorities and community partners continue to work together to support women to have healthy pregnancies and to improve the lives of those living with FASD.”
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the term used to describe the range of effects caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. British Columbia is considered a world leader in the field of FASD prevention, diagnosis, assessment, and support for those living with the disorder and their families.
The new plan – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Building on Strengths –
focuses on six cross-government strategic objectives:
·
British
Columbians are aware of the risk of alcohol and substance use in pregnancy and
of FASD as a lifelong disability.
· All women of childbearing age and their partners and support systems have access to early support and follow-up.
· All pregnant women and mothers experiencing substance use problems, and their partners and support systems, have access to focused intervention and support.
· Children, youth and adults living with FASD have access to timely diagnosis and assessment.
· Children, youth and adults living with FASD and their families and support networks have access to comprehensive and lifelong intervention and support.
· Service systems are coherent, integrated and co-ordinated, and benefit from strong research and evaluation.
“The co-operation, integrated service and education built into this 10-year plan will help reduce this form of preventable brain damage,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Education. “It will take the Province, communities, schools and families all working together to do the job that we know can and must be done.”
While exact prevalence rates of FASD are not known, Health Canada
estimates that approximately nine in every 1,000 infants are born with FASD,
making it one of the most common forms of preventable brain damage.
B.C. has made significant progress toward addressing FASD:
·
Effective
cross-ministry planning resulted in new assessment and diagnostic
services
·
Innovative
key worker services were implemented to assist families
·
Initiatives
were developed in the area of prevention and research.
In addition, the Ministry of Children and Family Development
(MCFD) funded the
establishment of a $10-million FASD Action Fund through the Victoria
Foundation. The funds include $1 million to establish an endowment fund, $2
million to promote prevention, and $7 million for projects throughout the
province that focus on improving outcomes for children and youth with FASD.
“It’s important to be open about this issue,” said Christensen. “We all need to be talking about this within our families and within our communities so that everyone understands the lifelong impact of FASD and how it can be prevented.”
Anne Guarasci, who has worked in the field for many years as a FASD Training Coordinator at the College of New Caledonia in Burns Lake, said the development of the Provincial Plan is heartening.
“We have worked closely with MCFD North Region for several years and I would like to applaud the ministry’s leadership and commitment around the issue of FASD,” said Guarasci.
In addition to continued support for community programs, the ministry recently supported the college in developing and delivering a training program to build capacity in the northern region in terms of services for families living with FASD and other developmental disabilities. In June, the college, Kermode Friendship Centre and POPFASD (Provincial Outreach Program for FASD-Ministry of Education) will co-host an MCFD-funded FASD networking and training event in Prince George for service providers and social workers across the north.
“Supporting FASD prevention programs and support systems for children and youth living with FASD and their families is a priority for the Province,” said John Rustad, MLA Prince George Omineca.
To download a copy of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Building on
Strengths please go to the MCFD website: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/fasd/ten_year_plan.htm
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