Kindergarten through 12th grade FASD Curricula
NOFAS is disseminating to classroom settings the four modules of the previously completed K-12 curricula. Each of the four age-appropriate modules is designed to prepare educators to present the FASD curriculum during a single class period. Click here to purchase the FASD K-12 Curriculum.
Kindergarten through Second Grade
Karli and the Star of the Week (31 pages), a colorfully illustrated storybook, that teaches youth to be tolerant and accepting of all individuals regardless of their capabilities or disabilities. The unit includes the storybook, lesson plan, and a CD-ROM with teacher background information.
Third through Fifth Grade
This module teaches students about healthy lifestyles by distinguishing healthy substances from harmful substances. The potential harm of alcohol consumption by pregnant women is introduced. The unit includes a lesson plan and a CD-ROM containing teacher background information and activity sheets.
Sixth through Eighth Grade
Students study a 3-D model that compares an alcohol-affected brain hemisphere to a normal hemisphere. The model comes with a display base and an information card that illustrates the potential effect of alcohol on specific regions of the brain. Unit includes the lesson plan, 3-D brain model, and a CD-ROM with teacher background information and activity sheets.
Ninth through Twelfth Grade
This unit presents excerpts from an episode of the popular television show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit that focuses on the issues and consequences surrounding FASD. The lesson presents students with information on FASD and prepares the educator to engage students in the facets of FASD addressed in the storyline. Unit includes the lesson plan, a DVD or VHS of the Law & Order: SVU excerpt, and a CD-ROM with the lesion plan and activity sheets.
Community Health Center Alcohol and FASD Screening Initiative
In 2005, in conjunction with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) launched a multi-year initiative at select Community Health Center (CHC) clinic sites to screen both pregnant and non-pregnant women for alcohol use disorders and to screen children for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
The primary purpose of the project is to coordinate services between NOFAS and community health centers to improve the prevention, identification, and support of individuals with FASD.
As of spring 2008, CHCs in Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Maine, Maryland are currently participating in the initiative and NOFAS is recruiting clinic sites in other states. NOFAS is collaborating with participating CHCs to conduct the following activities at each clinic site:
- a NOFAS-led training for clinic staff on FASD and alcohol and pregnancy, alcohol use disorders screening methodology and instruments, FAS screening methodology and checklist, referral strategies and resources, and reimbursement for alcohol screening;
- implementation of patient screening and referral;
- collection of data including the number of non-pregnant and pregnant women screened for alcohol use disorders, the number of women screening positive for alcohol use disorders, the number of children screened for FASD, and the number of children screening positive for FASD.
- dissemination of FASD and alcohol and pregnancy awareness materials and information.
NOFAS is providing technical assistance to each clinic on all aspects of the project. There are no direct costs for participating sites, and all training, materials and technical assistance is provided by NOFAS free of charge. Additionally, CMEs for clinical staff are available for participation in the training and incentives will be provided for the reporting of data. NOFAS will also consult with clinic administrative staff on two new codes added this year to the level II Health Care Service Procedures Coding System (HCSPCS) used by Medicaid, Medicare and other third-party payors: one code for drug and alcohol screening and the other for brief intervention and counseling.
Year Three of the NOFAS CHC Initiative (September 1, 2007 – August 31, 2008) is conducted in conjunction with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration and Children’s Research Triangle. For more information contact NOFAS program director Dr. Erin Frey, frey@nofas.org or (202) 785-4585.
Youth Initiative
NOFAS works with the Navajo Nation FASD Project and its director Louise Ashkie to raise awareness about alcohol and pregnancy. The billboard below is an example of what Louise and the Navajo teens are doing to address the issue.
Conferences and Trainings
NOFAS participates in a variety of conferences, holds trainings and attends various FASD-related events. These events are posted on the Calendar of Events. Kathy Mitchell of NOFAS participated in the taping of a video called Zero Exposure Project. This video was funded by Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and will be distributed free doctors’ offices, hospitals, social service agencies and other areas of the community visited by pregnant women. More information on the Zero Exposure Project can be found at: http://www.zeroexposure.org/.
Legislative and Consumer Advocacy
Senator Johnson introduced a comprehensive FASD bill, S.2141. NOFAS in colaboration with researchers and advocates in the FASD field assisted Senators Murkowski and Johnson compose the comprehensive FASD bill. The final version was introduced Senator Johnson in October. The comprehensive bill includes a range of provisions on clinical research, public health, FASD programs in the Departments of Education and Justice. NOFAS has been working hard to increase co-sponsorship of the bill. Companion legislation is set to be introduced by Chairman Frank Pallone and Representative Ramstad in the coming weeks.
NOFAS holds monthly advocacy conference calls. During these calls the NOFAS gives a brief Washington update, the group also discusses events occurring throughout the country and prioritizes future advocacy efforts. The calls take place on the second Wednesday of every month at 2:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time. To receive more information on these calls please email Erin Bailey at bailey@nofas.org.
The next FASD Hill Day and 2008 Leadership Awards Benefit will be May 14th.
NOFAS Affiliate Program
This program is a collaborative effort between the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and its affiliate to unify the call for prevention, identification, and treatment of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Current affiliates please enter here: NOFAS Affiliate Website
FASD Interactive, Multimedia, Web-based Training
In conjunction with ScienceMedia, Inc. NOFAS is developing a comprehensive web-based training for practitioners. ScienceMedia creates sophisticated marketing, communications and eLearning solutions for the life sciences and higher education markets, integrating science expertise with molecular simulation technique, web based programming and instructional design.
Certified Addiction Professionals (CAP) Training
The CAP Training is a FASD certification course for addictions counselors. Once certified, these addictions counselors will have a unique opportunity to provide the correct information to their patients, regarding effects of alcohol exposure on the developing fetus. With support from SAMHSA, NOFAS has completed the development as well as pilot-testing of this course. In the coming months, NOFAS will be working to make this course readily available online and used in educating counselors who deal with addiction.
The Circle of Hope is a network of women in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, who have used during pregnancy and may have children with FASD.
Information and Resource Clearinghouse
Since 1991, NOFAS has operated a comprehensive, multi-faceted information resource center devoted to FAS, other prenatal alcohol related disorders, and substance use during pregnancy. The NOFAS clearinghouse includes an Internet site on the World Wide Web; a toll-free telephone number; a library of resources for diverse audiences; FAS news and a calendar of events, conferences and activities; a database of FAS constituents; merchandise; and an evaluation and feedback mechanism.
Contact the clearinghouse at (202)785-4585, (800)66-NOFAS, information@nofas.org or www.nofas.org.
For more information regarding these programs please contact Kathy Mitchell at mitchell@nofas.org.
|