NOFAS Quality Improvement Program
This project seeks to increase awareness, prevention and prediction of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in women of childbearing age who receive medical services in community health centers. The goal of this short term project is to test procedures for screening women for alcohol use in order to prevent FASD and refer children with prenatal alcohol exposure for assessment. Screenings will take place at six community health centers across the country from June through August, 2006. This project is funded through an earmark to NOFAS through the Health Resources and Services Administration.


FAS/FASD and American Indian/Alaska Native Populations

Although fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) affect all populations who consume alcohol during pregnancy, research has focused on the disorders among American Indian/Alaska Native groups. Surveillance data is more comprehensive for these groups, but few published studies highlight effective prevention and intervention activities in these communities.

With support from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, NOFAS is committed to addressing FASD in Native American Populations. In partnership with the Cherokee Nation, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, the Navajo Nation and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, NOFAS is launching several community-based prevention activities in 2004.

Community Advocacy
The Public Awareness Guide
NOFAS, under a contract agreement with CDC, developed a public awareness guide for parents, caregivers and community members. The guide will provide users with the tools and resources needed to address the prevention of FASD as well as strategies for raising FASD awareness among legislatures and government officials at the local, state and federal levels. The guide will empower those affected by FASD to get involved in treatment and prevention activities. Read more about it here.

NOFAS Affiliate Program
NOFAS is assembling a national network of FASD affiliates to broaden the scope and mission of the organization. The affiliate program is open to proven organizations that share the NOFAS mission and vision. Please contact NOFAS for details about becoming a NOFAS affiliate. More about NOFAS Affiliate Program

NOFAS Educational Programs
K–12 Curricula
NOFAS is creating curricula outlining the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy for K-12 students. The new curricula will use innovative and proven strategies for educating students in grades K-12 about the effects of alcohol exposure during pregnancy. Education strategies include a storybook, an interactive curriculum using a brain model to demonstrate differences between brains exposed and not exposed to alcohol during pregnancy, and a special episode of NBC's Law and Order television program that focuses on legal issues of FAS and is adapted for a discussion about the social, legal and ethical implications of alcohol use and pregnancy.

Training for Education and Health Professionals
Medical School Curricula
For years, NOFAS has offered FAS curricula as educational electives for Georgetown University Medical School and Northwestern University Medical School. The curricula are designed to introduce FAS and FASD to medical students as a component of their medical training. The course addresses the scientific etiology of alcohol exposure during pregnancy on the developing brain as well as the personal, familial and psychosocial factors that impact those affected by FASD. Legal and ethical considerations associated with FASD also are discussed during course sessions. The curricula highlights the role of effective communication in the patient/provider relationship, practical strategies for screening patients for alcohol use during pregnancy and the importance of appropriate treatment and social service referral mechanisms.

In-Service Training for Educators
NOFAS provides in-service trainings about FAS and FASD for teachers and administrators in educational systems. Trainings address the origin of FASD, the effects of alcohol use on the developing brain, learning and behavioral outcomes associated with prenatal alcohol exposure and effective learning strategies for children affected by FASD.

In-Service Training for Health Professionals
NOFAS has long provided FASD training for health and social service providers during monthly staff meetings and annual conferences. Trainings address the origin of FASD by communicating with patients about screening and the effects of alcohol use on the developing brain, learning and behavioral outcomes associated with prenatal alcohol exposure and effective case management and referral strategies.

Hope for Women in Recovery Summits
The two day "NOFAS Hope for Women in Recovery Summits" are supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the FASD Center for Excellence. The Summits target women in addiction treatment centers, as well as addiction professionals and state policy makers. The Summits are designed to reach the highest risk population for having a child with FASD (women who suffer with addictive disorders) and the systems that serve them. The Summits also aim to address the impact FASD can have in education, juvenile and adult justice services, public welfare, and recidivism in the mental health and addiction systems.

On June 29 and 30, 2004, NOFAS hosted a two-day Summit titled, "Hope for Women in Recovery: Understanding and Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders."

Circle of Hope
The Circle of Hope (COH) is a birth mom network of women in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction who used alcohol during pregnancy and may have children with FAS/FASD. These women are referred to as "Warrior Moms" because of their incredible strength. COH is evolving into a national network, and is working to unite more women into the circle of support and understanding. COH provides mentoring, family support and educational resources for its members and their families.

FASD Certification for Certified Addictions Counselors
With support from SAMHSA, NOFAS offers FASD certification for certified addictions counselors. Certified addictions counselors have a unique opportunity to provide correct information relating to the effects of alcohol exposure on the developing fetus. They also are uniquely placed in the lives of women in recovery to provide guidance and referrals during critical periods. For these reasons, it is important that certified addictions counselors are appropriately trained and provided with correct information about FASD. Toward this end, NOFAS has developed a three-level training model for certified addictions counselors. The three tiers are entry level, intermediate and advanced. The entry level provides an introduction to FASD as well as strategies and resources for screening, identification and social services. In addition to the information discussed in the entry-level training, the intermediate-level training provides strategies for incorporating FASD information in treatment planning. The advanced level training uses the train-the-trainer model for FASD certification of other certified addictions counselors.

Local Community Outreach Activities
NOFAS continues its longstanding commitment to and participation in local community health fairs, town hall meetings and workshops in DC, Maryland and Virginia. In partnership with various community, health and social service organizations, NOFAS takes FASD prevention messages directly to the heart of the community.