Tomorrow is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Prevention and Support Day in B.C. and youth in Port Alberni are teaming up to help raise awareness about the disorder and the struggles that families living with FASD go through every day.

A youth task force, comprised of youth with FASD, has developed awareness content to be aired on local radio station PEAK 93.3 throughout the day on Sept. 9. The project is to empower youth through peer support and education to become leaders in public presentations on FASD prevention in the local community. The youth task force is supported by Circles of Cedar Resource Centre, a non-profit social services agency in Port Alberni.

The program was funded by the $10-million B.C. FASD Action Fund, established by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) in 2006. The fund, distributed through the Victoria Foundation, has supported projects focused on improving outcomes for children, youth and adults with FASD and enhancing prevention and parent and caregiver education. Across B.C., more than 40 projects received funding.

Throughout the year, Circles of Cedar runs Key Worker and Parent Support Programs that provide direct support to families raising children and youth with FASD in Port Alberni and along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Key workers provide family-centred support services to meet the needs of individual families. Services include providing information, educational workshops, parenting support programs, links to family services and advocacy.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development launched Key Worker and Parent Support Programs in 2006 for families of children and youth with FASD. Thousands of children and their families have accessed services provided by 52 contracted agencies across the province.

Quick Facts:

• FASD is an umbrella term that describes the range of effects that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical, mental, behavioural and/or learning disabilities with lifelong implications.
• Health Canada estimates approximately nine in every 1,000 infants are born with FASD.
• B.C. is considered a world leader in the field of FASD prevention, diagnosis, assessment, intervention and support.
• In March 2008, B.C. released a 10-year provincial plan called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Building on Strengths (2008-2018). The plan establishes a guide to provincial, regional and community efforts to address FASD.

Learn More:

To learn more about FASD supports through Circles of Cedar, please call: 250 724-3273

Contact:

Cindy Rose
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639