13th Annual Anishinabek G7 FASD Conference Call for Workshop Facilitators. Please take a look at the attached poster for more information.
Call for Workshops, and Call for Abstracts posters for upcoming conference “Neurodiversity, Inclusivity, and Health Equity: Uncovering and Rediscovering FASD.”
The London & Region FASD Conference Committee is pleased to announce they will be virtually hosting their 3rd Annual London & Region FASD Conference on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.
Save the Date: Registration Opens in August
Please find attached our Save the Date, Call for Workshops, and Call for Abstracts posters. This year’s theme is “Neurodiversity, Inclusivity, and Health Equity: Uncovering and Rediscovering FASD.”
This virtual event will include keynote sessions and break-out workshop sessions covering topics that are of interest to researchers, clinicians, and caregivers; poster/abstract presentations; information from regional agencies who work with families living with FASD; and the opportunity to interact with a wide range of people interested in the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
FASD Conference 2022 – Save the Date
FASD ONE Diagnostic Action Group: Peer Advisor Recruitment
Peer Consultation Roster (Pilot)
The FASD ONE Diagnostic Action Group is looking for multidisciplinary FASD practitioners who want to contribute to the development of diagnostic capacity and consistency for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the province of Ontario by being a FASD Peer Advisor!
As a FASD Peer Advisor you will provide practice specific, peer to peer consultation to other FASD diagnostic clinicians on an as needed basis. FASD Peer Advisors are available to discuss complex clinical issues regarding FASD assessment and diagnosis within their field of practice.
This is a one-year pilot project.
Qualifications and Experience
- At least 1 year of relevant professional experience in FASD assessment.
- Commitment to review orientation materials
- Able to respond to requests for consultation within a reasonable turnaround time.
How to Apply
If you are interested in becoming a member of FASD ONE Diagnostic Action Group Peer Advisor please provide:
- Your CV or Letter of Interest outlining your FASD assessment or relevant experience
- FASD Clinic affiliation
- Professional affiliation
- Contact Information
Please to forward your letter to any member of the Membership Committee below:
Valerie Temple: Valerie.Temple@surreyplace.ca
Brenda Stade: brenda.stade@outlook.com
Kelly Oreskovich: koreskovich@skhc.ca
Thank you for your interest! Candidates may be invited to meet virtually with the membership committee.
Two Education Essentials documents from FASD ONE.
Please find below a link to the two Education Essentials documents from FASD ONE.
The English one can be found here and is also on our website under Publications.
Their is also a French version: Éléments essentiels d’éducation pour les élèves atteints du TSAF : les préparer pour réussir 2021-04-03 FASD_Education_Essentials_FR_2021_3
If you are a School Board or local school and would like hard copies sent to you please email Mary Cunningham with the following information :
Your name, Mailing Address (with Postal Code), # of English copies, # of French copies
Mary Cunningham B.Ed. P.H.Ec.
Email Address: cunninghammary@rogers.com
Medication Algorithm Survey for FASD Patients
Dr. Mela and a team of researchers developed and published a psychotropic medication algorithm for FASD/PAE. The algorithm is an attempt to help address the ongoing issue of either improper medication for FASD, or over-medication and negative side effects. Dr. Mela and his team have been trying to recruit prescribers (physicians and nurse practitioners) to complete a short online evaluation survey on the algorithm, but participation has been low.
We hope you can help by forwarding this information to others you know who would be eligible to participate. The survey should take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete. The research study is not limited to Canada, so international prescribers are able to participate.
There is no reimbursement for participation, but your input will help to refine the algorithm and make it more evidence-based. Most importantly, your participation will help to ensure that this study will continue.
Feedback and Family Engagement with Kinark
Kinark is actively looking for a diverse group of family members (parents/caregivers, adult siblings, extended family members) with lived experience in caring for a child/youth living with:
- Mental Health challenges
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Involvement with the youth justice system
- Supervised Access
The Family Advisory Committee and Family Network partner with Kinark to improve and enhance services and agency practices for children and youth.
Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre is accepting referrals for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Assessment.
Shakagamik-Kwe Health Centre has made an application to obtain funding for a culturally appropriate FASD assessment clinic to serve Indigenous children and youth in northeastern Ontario (see below for a description of our vision). The proposed funder has asked us to identify a defined group of children who have been identified as needing FASD assessment. To meet this request SKHC is seeking referrals for FASD assessment.
We are accepting referrals for Indigenous children and youth:
- Between 0 and 18 years of age
- Who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol or where there is suspicion of prenatal exposure to alcohol
- Who are experiencing difficulty in meeting age-appropriate expectations / milestones (developmental, language, motor skills, cognitive skills, academic skills, self-regulation or behaviour etc.)
- Who have previously been denied FASD assessment by another provider
- Who have been identified as At Risk for FASD
- Who have been previously unable to complete an FASD assessment
- Who have a diagnosis of FASD by a geneticist and or medical practitioner and require or would benefit from a multidisciplinary assessment
- Who have a diagnosis of FASD but require an updated assessment for transition planning (i.e.: elementary to secondary school planning, transition to young adulthood planning)
We are seeking to identify all Indigenous children and youth in northeastern Ontario who require FASD assessment, even those already awaiting assessment by another provider. Referrals accepted from all sources.
Please forward the referral form attached to:
A Vision for Culturally Safe FASD Assessment in Northeastern Ontario
FASD assessment and services at Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre would be embedded in the Woven Blanket Model of Care, where the health of a child and family is understood across physical, spiritual, emotional and mental dimensions. Every child, every family will be encouraged to take a major role in their care. Under the guidance of the Traditional Team, FASD prevention, assessment, education, intervention and supportive services will be provided with a holistic culturally focused, client-centered, strength-based, women-centered, trauma informed approach with the goal of empowering the child and family to better advocate for their needs.
The proposal for an Indigenous FASD assessment clinic for northeastern Ontario includes the provision of culturally safe assessment, intervention and FASD education to families; helping to build communities of support for children, youth and families impacted by FASD. FASD services provided by an Indigenous organization, blending traditional knowledge, wisdom and practice with western medicine is hoped to reduce the stigma surrounding FASD. Reducing stigma will help women come forward to pursue assessment on behalf of their child and get the support the child and family critically needs.
Multidisciplinary FASD assessment and diagnosis will be provided consistent with the Canadian Guidelines for Diagnosis guided by a SKHC’s Traditional Team. Principles guiding this model of care will include a holistic approach that seeks to balance all 4 quadrants; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual of the child and family. While the assessment process can be a very clinical process, SKHC seeks to create an environment where the assessment process is also a healing journey.
The approach will be intergenerational and promote self-determination, supporting the child and family to make decisions that are best for them. There will be respect for culture and language, incorporating sacred medicines, ceremonies and ways of knowing into the healing journey. Every child, every family will be central to the journey and encouraged to share responsibility for their health and wellbeing by building relationships with health care providers and support services in both worlds, traditional and western. Each family will be given the support they need to achieve substantive equality in their ability to access, fully participate and benefit from care.
Miigwetch for your time!
Kelly Oreskovich MSW RSW
FASD Coordinator
Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre
161 Applegrove Street
Sudbury, ON P3C 1N2
Tel: 705-675-1596, ext. 239
Fax: 705-675-6277
Resource to launch your Diagnostic Clinic
Posted on behalf of Surrey Place. If you have any questions, please contact: services.partners@surreyplace.ca.
Become a Member of CanFASD
The launch of their new national membership program created exclusively for individuals.
These new individual memberships are different from Jurisdictional Memberships, which are offered exclusively to provinces and territories.
People with FASD, caregivers, researchers and allied professionals are all eligible to become individual CanFASD members and enjoy a full range of benefits.
An Affordable Annual Membership
Researchers, service providers and professionals can join for just $129 per year, which includes a listing in the CanFASD Membership Directory. People with FASD and their caregivers pay a preferred rate of just $49 per year.
We are also offering individuals with FASD and caregivers the chance to win one of five free memberships, eligible for one year. Fill out our form for your chance to win.
Become A Member of CanFASD Today!
Join a community of Canadians from coast to coast to coast with interest in FASD. Click here to visit our website to become an individual CanFASD member or discover all the benefits of being a member of Canada’s only National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR A RESEARCH STUDY
University of Alberta CanFASD are doing a research study on substance use and addictions treatment for adults who have or may have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
They are interested in interviewing adults with FASD who have had experiences of addictions treatment, and caregivers of individuals with FASD who have had experience with supporting their loved one with addictions.
The interview will take place on Zoom and will take between 30-45 minutes. You will receive a $10.00 gift card as an appreciation for your time.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please e-mail kapasi@ualberta.ca.
This study has been approved by the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board: Pro00107455