B.C. marks FASD Prevention and Support Day | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
Subscribe

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter?

Current Conditions Mostly Cloudy  5.1°C

Kelowna News

B.C. marks FASD Prevention and Support Day

VICTORIA - Sept. 9 is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Prevention and Support Day in B.C., an opportunity to raise awareness around the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy and to support healthy women, their infants and their families.

Health Canada estimates nine in every 1,000 infants are born with FASD, making it the leading known preventable cause of brain damage and developmental disability in Canada. 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.

Every year on the ninth day of the ninth month, people in British Columbia and around the world mark the day by launching awareness campaigns and holding community events to increase understanding about the dangers of drinking while pregnant. The number nine was chosen to reflect the nine months of pregnancy.

To mark FASD Prevention and Support Month, FASD awareness materials - counter decals, brochures and posters that feature a pregnant woman and her partner - are featured in all 195 BC Liquor Stores throughout the province. This month-long

focus on FASD awareness is in addition to the permanent signage that appears in all BC Liquor Stores and the brochure that is always available in-store and on the BC Liquor Stores website.

Through partnerships between the provincial government, health authorities, school districts and community organizations, FASD programs and supports are available throughout B.C. to help affected children and families:

* Regional health authorities, in partnership with the Provincial Health Services Authority provide assessment and diagnosis services for children with complex developmental behavioural conditions, including children who may have FASD.
* The Ministry of Children and Family Development delivers the Key Worker and Parent Support program to give families personalized assistance and information specific to their needs.
* The Ministry of Education established the Provincial Outreach Program for FASD to help teachers and other school district staff increase their understanding of FASD.
* In 2011, the B.C. government launched the Healthy Families BC strategy that includes Healthy Start. Healthy Start provides prenatal and postpartum support to all expectant mothers, and nurses offer aid to at-risk mothers to promote healthy pregnancies.

* Adults with FASD are able to seek services through Community Living BC's Personalized Supports Initiative, introduced in 2010.

Promoting healthy practices during pregnancy through public education and awareness is part of B.C.'s 10-year FASD Strategic Plan (2008-2018).

As a leader in FASD prevention, diagnosis, assessment, and intervention, B.C. is a member of the Canada Northwest FASD Partnership, an alliance of the four western provinces and three territories that works together to enhance prevention, diagnosis and support. The Partnership supports research in FASD through the Canada FASD Research Network: www.canfasd.ca

Learn More:

* Resources for expectant mothers and new parents: www.bestchance.gov.bc.ca
* Information on healthy pregnancies and raising a healthy family: www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca
* Information on FASD, provincial prevention strategies and programs to assist children and families: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/fasd
* Help for educators in meeting the learning needs of students with FASD: www.fasdoutreach.ca
* To view and order BC Liquor Stores' FASD awareness posters and brochures, go to: www.bcliquorstores.com/alcohol-pregnancy
* To learn more about research on FASD, visit: www.canfasd.ca

News from © iNFOnews, 2013
iNFOnews

  • Popular penticton News
View Site in: Desktop | Mobile