Educating Families and Professionals

Enhanced Resources for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention

Since FAS was identified in the medical literature more than thirty years ago, CDC and other federal agencies and research institutions have made great progress in understanding its prevalence, risk factors, and its cost to society. However, progress in the development of effective FAS education and prevention approaches has not been as fully realized. Considering the potential to completely prevent the disorder, FAS research, intervention, and services must be complemented by enhanced resources for FAS prevention and education. Various advisory panels and committees and formal reports on the subject have consistently recommended the development of comprehensive, scientifically accurate prevention approaches.

Funded Project:
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) - Washington, D.C.

The goal of the NOFAS cooperative agreement is to develop and disseminate new fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) prevention and education resources thereby enhancing the quantity and quality of available resources for FAS parents and family members, educators, students, professionals, and the public at-large. Specifically, NOFAS will conduct the following activities through this project:

• Develop, implement, and maintain an FAS clearinghouse and resource center serving researchers, professionals, educators, students, policymakers, the general public, and those affected by FAS.

• Develop and implement culturally appropriate FAS prevention activities and products at the Cherokee Nation consisting of educational workshops, trainings for clinic personnel to screen women for alcohol and drug use, and a variety of multi-media messages and materials.

• Develop a school-based FAS curriculum and tool kit for teachers to implement with students in Kindergarten through grade 12. Available now!

• Develop a plan to disseminate and deliver training on the FAS curriculum and tool kit to increase the preparedness of teachers in Kindergarten through grade 12 to teach about FAS.

• Develop and evaluate an FAS public awareness campaign training guide for use by local and national community-based organizations, FAS parent support groups, students, and others sponsoring FAS prevention activities.

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