Researchers at the University of Calgary are looking for youth and young adults with FASD to take part in an individual interview to share their perspectives about how health professionals can identify and support young people with FASD struggling with thoughts of suicide. 

Interviews will last about 30 to 45 minutes and can be done over Zoom, by phone, or in person (in Calgary, AB). Participants will receive a $50 gift card to thank them for their time. 

They are looking for people: 

• Between the ages of 16 and 30 years 
• With a formal diagnosis of FASD by a registered health provider 
• Who are Canadian residents 
• Who have experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours 

This research study is being conducted by investigators at the University of Calgary (Drs. Carly McMorris and Dorothy Badry), the University of Alberta (Dr. Jacqueline Pei), and the Canadian FASD Research Network (CanFASD; Dr. Kelly Harding, Audrey McFarlane, and Kathy Unsworth). 

It is funded by the Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention (CASP) and has been approved by the University of Calgary’s Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board (CFREB; REB23-0933). 

To see if you are eligible to participate, and to express your interest, please answer the questions at this link: https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_2iCDvohDpeuO6O2

CanFASD recently published a Self-Care Strategies Resource Booklet to support wellbeing for caregivers. Please see attached pdf or access via https://canfasd.ca/wp-content/uploads/publications/Self-Care-Strategies_WebResource_Oct2025.pdf . Please feel free to download it and/or share with anyone you think would benefit from this guide.

As discussed in the guide, “…Self-care is a life-long practice focused on building our knowledge and experience to care for our health and wellbeing. Building self-care habits and routines can be challenging but can ultimately help improve our lives. Self-care looks different for everyone, and it’s important to find options that works for you. This resource provides a list of potential self-care activities to support the health and wellness of caregivers of individuals with FASD. These strategies were compiled as part of the Caregiver Approaches, Resiliencies, and Experiences (CARE) Study…”

To learn more about the CARE study, please watch this Health Nexus webinar: https://www.fasdinfotsaf.ca/webinars/results-caregiver-approaches-resiliences-experiences-care-study/.

The Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network (CanFASD) is inviting all professionals and service providers involved in the FASD diagnostic process (including those screening for FASD and making referrals for assessment) to participate in a needs assessment survey about prenatal alcohol exposure and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. This survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete: all responses will be confidential, reported only in aggregate, and you may skip questions as needed.

Any responses will inform the development of a virtual information hub about prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder—alongside other future initiatives to update clinical guidelines, referral and diagnostic systems, policies and provider training.

Please feel free to forward this email to your networks; we welcome any perspectives from those involved in the diagnostic process.

You can find the survey:

• In English
• En Français

We ask that you please fill out this survey by January 26^th, 2026.

If you have any questions or extra input, please contact Dr. Celisse Bibr, National FASD Database Coordinator at celisse.bibr@canfasd.ca .

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) clinics across Canada often struggle to confirm if a person was exposed to alcohol before birth. This step is important, but it can be difficult to do in a way that is consistent, respectful, and sensitive to past trauma.

Knowing whether someone was exposed to alcohol before birth is a key part of diagnosing FASD. However, barriers including stigma, missing records, complicated family situations, and different ways of collecting information have made it hard for clinics to consistently get the facts they need. Without this confirmation, many people may not be able to get an FASD diagnosis—and without a diagnosis, they might not get the support and services they need.

To help with this, the Lakeland Centre for FASD (LCFASD) and Rajani Diagnostic Clinic and Training Services have created a new Prenatal Alcohol Collection and Confirmation Toolkit. This toolkit is designed to support clinic coordinators, doctors, and assessment teams as they gather this important information.

Red more at: https://tinyurl.com/24dkpwhj

The Canada FASD Research Network, with the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada, is excited to announce the release our new online FASD training course that is designed to improve knowledge and awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

This training is designed to reach staff working in Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) and Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)-funded projects all across Canada, the broader community organizations they work within and the families who access these supports.

Approximately 300,000 children in Canada have FASD, with a higher proportion being part of populations who have experienced trauma or are facing other barriers to health equity. Many of these children and their families access supports and services through programs like CPNP and CAPC.

Recognizing the important impact that you and your organizations play in these families lives, this training aims to further build your FASD knowledge and capacity and provide a toolkit for supporting individuals with FASD. Together we can create a more supportive environment for the people with FASD, both at our programs, and at home.

The training will be available and free for you to access during our 1-year pilot. Help us pilot this course by completing the training and the surveys before August 31, 2026. It is very important that this course is beneficial and educational to you, and we cannot do that without your input.

The course itself has five modules, each exploring a different but related aspect of FASD:

•              Module 1: Introduction to the Course and FASD

•              Module 2: Screening, Assessment and Diagnosis of FASD

•              Module 3: FASD-Informed Supports and Strategies for Children

•              Module 4: Supporting Adults and Parents with FASD

•              Module 5: FASD Prevention and Awareness

The course should not take longer than 4-6 hours. You can find the link to the course here:

•                https://elearning.canfasd.ca/courses/phac-pilot-training-course/ 

Please contact info@canfasd.ca if you have any questions or have difficulty accessing the course.

Thank you very much for your contributions to supporting children and families facing challenges like FASD! With your help, we can work to build a better and more understanding world and help improve outcomes for individuals and families affected by FASD.

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Le Réseau canadien de recherche sur l’ensemble des troubles causés par l’alcoolisation fœtale (CanFASD), avec le soutien de l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada, est heureux d’annoncer le lancement de son nouveau cours de formation en ligne sur l’ensemble des troubles causés par l’alcoolisation fœtale (TSAF), conçu pour améliorer les connaissances et la sensibilisation au TSAF.

Cette formation s’adresse au personnel travaillant dans le cadre de projets financés par le Programme d’action communautaire pour les enfants (PACE) et le Programme canadien de nutrition prénatale (PCNP) partout au Canada, aux organismes communautaires dans lesquels ils travaillent et aux familles qui ont accès à ces services de soutien.

Environ 300 000 enfants au Canada sont atteints du TSAF, une proportion plus élevée faisant partie de populations qui ont subi des traumatismes ou qui sont confrontées à d’autres obstacles à l’équité en matière de santé. Un bon nombre de ces enfants et leurs familles ont accès à des services de soutien par l’intermédiaire de programmes tels que le PNP et le PAAC.

Conscients de l’impact important que vous et vos organisations avez sur la vie de ces familles, cette formation vise à approfondir vos connaissances et vos capacités en matière sur le TSAF et à vous fournir une boîte à outils pour soutenir les personnes atteintes du TSAF. Ensemble, nous pouvons créer un environnement plus favorable aux personnes atteintes le TSAF, tant dans le cadre de nos programmes qu’à la maison.

La formation sera offerte gratuitement pendant la durée de notre projet pilote d’un an. Aidez-nous à tester ce cours en suivant la formation et en répondant aux sondages avant le 31 août 2026. Il est très important que ce cours vous soit utile et instructif et nous ne pouvons y parvenir sans votre contribution.

Le cours comprend cinq modules chacun explorant un aspect différent, mais lié au TSAF :

•              Module 1 : Introduction au cours et au TSAF

•              Module 2 : Dépistage, évaluation et diagnostic du TSAF

•              Module 3 : Soutiens et stratégies adaptées au TSAF pour les enfants

•              Module 4 : Soutien aux adultes et aux parents atteints du TSAF

•              Module 5 : Prévention et sensibilisation au TSAF

Le cours ne devrait pas durer plus de quatre à six heures. Vous trouverez le lien vers le cours ici:

•                https://elearning.canfasd.ca/courses/phac-pilot-training-course-2/

Veuillez contacterinfo@canfasd.ca si vous avez des questions ou des difficultés pour accéder au cours.

Merci beaucoup pour votre contribution et aide apportées aux enfants et aux familles confrontées à des difficultés telles que le TSAF ! Avec votre aide, nous pouvons œuvrer à la construction d’un monde meilleur et plus compréhensif et contribuer à améliorer la situation des personnes et des familles touchées par le TSAF.

FASD Awareness Month

FASD Awareness Month

First celebrated in 1999, FASD day is devoted to raising awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) to improve prevention of FASD and diagnosis and support for individuals with FASD.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and body of people who were exposed to alcohol in the womb. Each person with FASD has both strengths and challenges and will need special supports to help them succeed with many different parts of their daily lives.

Each of us has a role to play in creating a society that supports individuals with FASD and promotes healthy pregnancies. Small actions lead to big change – whether it’s taking a training session, raising awareness in your community, or having important conversations with loved ones about alcohol-free pregnancies. When we all take action, we build a more inclusive, informed, and supportive society.

You may recognize the CANFASD theme from last year, but in 2025, they are hoping you will join them in doubling down on action! The addition of “Take Action!” is meant to spark real, meaningful steps toward progress.

The Canadian theme for 2025 is Everyone Plays a Part:  Take Action!  CanFASD has put together a number of resources for you to use to share this important message this month.  You can find them here.

Applications for the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) open today – Friday, June 20, 2025. 

This benefit is a step forward in supporting the financial security of persons with disabilities, including people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). 

What is the Canada Disability Benefit? 
The Canada Disability Benefit provides up to $200 per month in financial support to eligible people with disabilities who have a low income. To qualify, individuals must be between 18 and 64 years of age. The benefit is administered by Service Canada and aims to reduce financial barriers faced by many Canadians with disabilities. 

How to apply 
If you’ve been approved for the Disability Tax Credit and meet most eligibility criteria, you will receive a letter in June with a unique application code and instructions. 

You can apply online via the application portal, by phone or in person at a Service Canada Centre. 

Before applying, get the following information: 

• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) 
• Your direct deposit information from your bank (recommended for faster payments) 

If you do not receive a letter but believe you’re eligible, you can still apply. You’ll just need your mailing address and your 2024 net income (Line 23600 from your 2024 Notice of Assessment). 

For full information about the Canada Disability Benefit and how to apply, please visit the Canada Disability Benefit website.  

If you need support, reach out to your local FASD organization. The Government of Canada also has a list of organizations that can help you navigate the system. 

We encourage everyone in the FASD community to take a look and share this information with anyone who might benefit. 

In time for FASD Awareness Month last year, this book was released titled “What is Your Superpower?”. This book reflects the power of individuals with FASD, and emphasizes how we can all contribute to making a positive impact in their lives. 

Authour is a Master’s of Health Sciences, which helped her recognize that we have a role to play in supporting individuals with FASD and in shaping equitable environments. She had the privilege of focusing on FASD through her academic research and her time as a CanFASD trainee. Collectively, these experiences have taught her the importance of support systems for individuals with FASD, and that everyone – whether it be family, friends, or the broader community – plays a critical part in this support network. 

Celebrating the strengths, resilience, and growth of children with FASD 

Drawing from her experiences and research, she set out to write a children’s book that celebrates the strengths, resilience, and growth of children with FASD. She uses strengths-based language, and acknowledges the challenges faced by individuals with FASD as well as equally important to shine a light on their strengths. This book finds that balance by showing how challenges can lead to success when met with understanding and support across a variety of settings.  

The process of writing this book was done by collaborating with individuals with FASD and their support person(s) throughout the process, to ensure that the story truly reflected diverse perspectives and experiences. The book’s imagery is equally significant, including many shared photos of nature, including trees, flowers, and beautiful landscapes, that symbolized resilience and growth. The authour aimed to capture these powerful conversations and themes throughout the book’s visuals, using nature as a metaphor for the ways individuals with FASD grow and thrive. Together, the storyline and imagery beautifully convey the strength of the FASD community. 

A valuable conversation starter 

Recognizing the importance of shaping environments that are inclusive of individuals with FASD, the autour wanted to create a resource not only for children, but also for families, service providers, and the broader community to foster conversations about FASD in a positive manner. While the book simplifies FASD in a way that’s understandable for children and young readers, it can still serve as a valuable conversation starter for service providers, community members, and families. This book is not designed to offer comprehensive information or guidance, but rather to introduce key ideas in a way that encourages further exploration. 

This book will inspire greater awareness, spark conversations, and encourage readers to embrace and celebrate differences contributing toward a more understanding and supportive environment for individuals with FASD – Order your copy on Amazon today! 

100% of proceeds are being donated to CanFASD to help advance research, resources, and supports for individuals with FASD, their families, and the service providers working alongside them.