Network News FALL TRAINING AND EDUCATION INFORMATION

V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 8

INSIDE THIS

Caring For

Canada’s Waiting

Children

2

Flying With

Broken Wings

3

Alberta Conference

Information

4

FASD Website info 3

Alberta’s FASD

Network Program-

New Statistics!!

4

Sept. 9, 2013

FASD Interna-

tional Awareness

Week Overview

5

Starfish Nomina-

tion Form + Story

6-7

Training and

Registration info

8—

9

Society Info—AGM

Sept. 17, 2013

9

Program and Ser-

vices information

11

12

JOIN US ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 AT THE

HUB ON ROSS FOR INTERNATIONAL

FASD AWARENESS DAY + FASD FOOD

LUNCH 8:45—12:30!!!

HAPPY SUMMER

P A G E 2

N E T W O R K N E W S

F A L L T R A I N I N G

Caring for Canada’s waiting

children

Reprinted with permission of City Light News and Focus on the Family

Canada

Langley, BC – Not long ago, someone called Focus on the Family Can-

ada’s office to express their intention to begin an orphanage in Canada. I

stammered a bit, unsure how to respond, and finally said, “We don’t do that in Canada. ”This person truly had a

heart for Canada’s waiting children. Many of us, however, are oblivious to the children in our country who do

not have family who is committed to them for the long term. If we are to help meet their needs, we need to first

understand who these children are Canada’s waiting children a re usually children who are available for adop-

tion. They typically live with foster families, as the rights of their birth parents have been terminated by the

courts. These children are in the care of a foster family while they wait to be adopted. The majority of these

children are between the ages of six and 18, and many are one of a group of siblings. While some of these chil-

dren may be adopted by their foster families, most are not. Many of these waiting children have experienced

neglect and abuse, and have moved from one foster home to another. Some have been exposed to drugs or alco-

hol before birth, struggle with behavioural or learning disabilities, or may develop mental health issues. Some

have lost parents through death. Nearly all of them are still waiting for permanent families for one or more of

the following reasons:

They are more than two years old, but many adopting families want babies

They are part of a sibling group

They were prenatally exposed to drugs or alcohol in the womb, which may cause brain damage, resulting

in some behavioural issues and/or learning disabilities

They’ve moved from one foster home to another so many times, they find it difficult to attach to yet an-

other new family and therefore exhibit some challenging behaviours

They have suffered abuse or neglect as children and this Caring for Canada’s waiting children has de-

layed their ability to learn and develop normally. Many of these children are considered “special needs”

children because of the trauma they have faced, unwanted and uninvited, early in their lives. But they are

also:

Precious souls, loved by God

Hungry for affection, stability and grace in their lives

Responsive to those who will work with them, patiently teaching and re-teaching the skills these children

need to thrive

Sponges who will soak up good nutrition, security, spiritual truth and love

Hearts who need to hear that they are valued, worthy, seen and cared for in ways that matter

Bodies whose physical development can catch up if their emotional, spiritual and mental health needs are

adequately addressed

Children in need of what all kids need: a family to call their own, a place to belong!

Focus on the Family Canada is working with local churches in Calgary to let God’s people know about the need

for families for these children. The project is “End the Wait” and we invite you to come out to an information

night to find out what you can do to welcome a child/ren into your family or support families in your church

FASD

Websites

Lakeland Centre for

FASD Northern

Alberta site with links to

information from across

Canada and around the

world.

www.lakelandfas.com

The FASD Center of

Excellence is a project of

the Substance Abuse and

Mental Health Services

www.fascenter.samhsa.g

ov/gg/index.cfm

The Canadian FASD

Training Online

Database” found at

www.ccsa.ca

The FASD Support

Network of

Saskatchewan Inc.

www.skfasdnetwork.ca

—Download FASD Tips

for Parents and

Caregivers

Justice Website:

www.fasdjustice.on.ca

FASLink maintains an

extensive website of

more than 100,000

FASD documents in a

searchable database.

www.faslink.org

FASD CMC Alberta

Information about the

FASD Network initiative and access to the FASD

Learning Series online.

www.fasd-

cmc.alberta.ca/fasd-

service-networks

Several publications on

FASD are available at

the Red Deer Regional

Library + at the Dawe.

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 8

Please forward this reminder to those you believe may

have an interest in attending any one of these fabu-

lous conferences on FASD being held in Alberta this

fall/winter. Registration for all conferences is now

open. Please follow the links attached for additional

information and registration. The Alberta FASD Conference

Nov 18-19, 2013

Calgary

Link: http://fasd.alberta.ca/alberta-fasd-conference.aspx

As well, here is the link to all the information on our website: http://fasd.alberta.ca/alberta-fasd-

conference.aspx.

First International Conference on Prevention of FASD

Sep 23-25, 2013

Edmonton

Link: http://www.fasdedmonton2013.ca/FASD-Prevention/Default.aspx

Consensus Development Conference on Legal Issues of FASD

Sep 18-20, 2013

Edmonton

Link: http://www.fasdedmonton2013.ca/FASD-Legal/

“FLYING WITH BROKEN WINGS”

Flying With Broken Wings is a group for people with FASD,

and those who work with or care for us.

Share….vent….express yourself….ask questions….give opin-

ions….this is for anything we feel we need to share.

Please respect everyone and their opinions and feelings.

Disrespect and ANY inappropriate or hurtful behavior WILL

NOT Be Tolerated.

It’s a roller coaster people…..get bugs in your teeth and EN-

JOY THE RIDE!

Connect on Facebook by entering the following in the subject

line:

FASD (a)”Flying With Broken Wings”

P A G E 4 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 8

Together WE CAN Make a Difference!!

V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 7

P A G E 7 7

Please join us in bringing awareness about FASD

( Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)

September 8, 2013 FASD Displays at Crossroads Church in

the Cafe

September 9, 2013 FASD Day Event 8:45 -12:30

The HUB on ROSS—4936 Ross St., Red Deer

11:45—12:30 FASD Food Lunch—M + M Meats Barbeque

Outside on the Ross St. Patio

September 10, 2013 FASD 101—Crossroads Church, Red Deer

September 11, 2013 FASD 101 Rocky Mountain House

September 12-13 2013 “Looking Through the FASD Lens”

Hosted by Pe Sakastew Healing Centre—Hobbema

Together We CAN Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Coordination of the International FASD Awareness Day in Red Deer is a

collaborative effort between the Central Alberta FASD Network and its

partners in the community.

For information about other International FASD Awareness Events in the

Central Alberta Region Call: Betty Lou Benson—403 309-5650

Register NOW!!

International FASD

Awareness Week

September 8—13,

P A G E 6

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond in our

community to support someone with FASD or created better

awareness of FASD in their workplace, agency or community? We

would like to honor and recognize these individuals on

Sept 9, 2013, FASD International Awareness Day.

Criteria for Nomination:

Individuals nominated to receive the STARFISH Award will have made significant

contributions related to FASD.

Nominations will be accepted for individuals who reside in the Central Alberta FASD

Network Region.

Nominations must be received by August 30, 2013.

Please complete the following and submit it to : STARFISH Committee, Central

Alberta FASD Network, E-mail: fasdnetwork@shawbiz.ca or mail: Central Alberta

FASD Network 5409– 50 Ave., Red Deer, AB ,T4N 4B7

Nominee Information:

Nominee Name:_____________________________________________________________________

Nominee Address: __________________________________________________________________

Phone Number: _____________________ E-Mail Address:__________________________________

Please write a paragraph limited to 150 words describing why your nominee should be

considered to receive the Annual Central Alberta Central Alberta STARFISH AWARD

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Nominator Name & Address__________________________________________________________

Phone Number:___________________E-Mail Address:___________________________________

Relationship to Nominee:____________________________________________________________

2013 Starfish Award Nomination Form

P A G E 7

Central Alberta STARFISH Award

The Starfish award will be presented to

an individual or group who has made

significant contributions to the FASD

Community.

The Starfish Thrower Story

I awoke early, as I often did, just before sunrise to walk by the ocean's edge and greet

the new day. As I moved through the misty dawn, I focused on a faint, faraway

movement. I saw a boy, bending and reaching and waving his arms – dancing on the

beach, no doubt in celebration of the perfect day soon to begin.

“As I approached, I sadly realized that he was not dancing, but rather bending to sift

through the debris left by the night's tide, stopping now and then to pick up a starfish

and then standing, to heave it back into the sea. I asked the boy the purpose of the

effort. "The tide has washed the starfish onto the beach and they cannot return to the

sea by themselves," he replied. ‘When the sun rises, they will die, unless I throw them

back to the sea.’

“I looked at the vast expanse of beach, stretching in both directions. Starfish littered

the shore in numbers beyond calculation. The hopelessness of the boy's plan became

clear to me and I pointed out, ‘But there are more starfish on this beach than you can

ever save before the sun is up. Surely you cannot expect to make a difference.’

He paused briefly to consider my words, bent to pick up a starfish and threw it as far

as possible. Turning to me he simply said,

"I made a difference to that one.”

P A G E 8 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 8

“Looking Through the FASD Lens”

Presented by: Liz Lawryk, BSW MSc.H.S.RSW,

Chief Clinical Examiner of the OBD

(Organic Brain Dysfunction) Triage Institute

Who Should Take This Training?

Probation and Parole officers, Police, Intake Staff, Nurses, Social Workers, Physicians, Psychologists,

Administrators, Provincial/Federal Women’s and Men’s Institution Staff, John Howard and Elizabeth

Fry Support Staff, Lawyers, Judges, Community Program Staff

What Will You Learn?

This seminar provides training in the first stage triage screening for the possibility of Fetal Alcohol

Spectrum Disorders for youth and adults involved with Correctional and/or Community Support

Services. The Preliminary Triage Screen provides the user with a time effective, and reduced liability

process, in order to determine referral necessity to a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD’s)

Medical Diagnostic Team

Individuals with suspected FASD pose many challenges to those involved with the initial interview or

intake process. This is true if you are a Police Officer, Probation/Parole Officer, AISH Intake worker,

SFI Intake worker, Hospital intake, Mental Health worker, Homeless Shelter staff, etc. You are

often challenged with “suspecting” that something is not as it should be with the individual but are

hesitant or insufficiently knowledgeable of this disability to make referrals to those who can provide

a full assessment. This 2 day seminar will prepare you to both “identify” and “query” characteristics that when clustered indicate that the individual should be referred for further medical assessment

and how to refer.

When: Sept. 12 & 13th—8:00—4:00

Sponsored in partnership between Prairie Central and

Central Alberta FASD Networks and Alberta Health &

Wellness

Central Alberta FASD Network

FASD Week Registration Form

Please submit registration and payment no later

than August 30, 2013

Please check the box next to the training you wish to attend:

FASD 101 Crossroads Church , Red Deer - Sept. 10, 2013 $20.00

Includes Lunch and coffee breaks. 9:30—3:30

FASD 101 Rocky Arena, Rocky Mountain House—Sept. 11 $20.00

Includes Lunch and coffee breaks.9:30—3:30

“Looking Through the FASD Lens”—Sept. 12 & 13 $50.00

Includes Lunch and coffee breaks. 8:00—4:00 both days.

Pe Sakastew,, Hobbema—PLEASE SEE Important Information about CPIC Clearance needed to attend this training.

Submit by AUGUST 9, 2013

Name: _______________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

City: __________________________ Prov.: _____________ Postal Code: _________________

Phone:________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________________

Payment Enclosed: Cash/Cheque payable to Family Services of Central Alberta. Payments can be either mailed or

dropped off to Central Alberta FASD Network 5409—50 Ave., Red Deer, T4N 4B7. Attention: IRINA

P A G E 1 0

The Shortest

Distance

Between

Two

People

Is

A SMILE!!

Central Alberta FASD Network Society Updates…...

N E T W O R K N E W S

VISIT CENTRAL ALBERTA FASD NETWORK ON

FACEBOOK!!!!!

Please join us on FACEBOOK! For FASD information, strategies,

links, etc, etc, etc.

OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE LOTS MORE “LIKES” BY

FASD INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS DAY

SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

LEARN, SHARE AND HELP US REACH OUR GOAL!!!

The Central Alberta FASD Clinic Team would like to wish Mary Culshaw, Occupa-

tional Therapist on the Central Alberta and Prairie Central Teams the best of luck as

she begins her new position as the Manager of the Paediatric OT team at Children’s

Hospital in Calgary. We will miss your expertise, humour and stories during clinic

days. The Children’s Hospital is lucky to have you, you will be missed!

Comings and goings…..New Board Members coming on board at our Sept, 17, 2013

Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be held from 11:30—1:30 on Tuesday

Sept. 17 at the CATZ 4820—53 St., Red Deer. Refreshments available!

All are welcome to attend!

P A G E 1 1 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 8

PREVENTION—TARGETED prevention for those most at-risk of giving birth to a child with FASD.

“On Track” Parent Child Assistance Program

The Goals:

To help mothers build and maintain healthy, independent family lives

To assure that children are in safe and stable homes

To prevent future births of alcohol and drug exposed children.

The Approach:

Trained and supervised Parent Advocates provide home visitation and intervention for 3 years.

Parent Advocates Assist in:

Setting goals

Obtaining alcohol/drug treatment

Solving housing, domestic violence, child custody problems

Resolving system service barriers and more…….

FASD ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS for Ages 15—through Adulthood

Assessment-Diagnostic services include medical, cognitive, behaviour, communication, adaptive functioning assess-

ments completed by a “multidisciplinary team” that meets the Canadian Clinical Guidelines for diagnosis. Referrals

require the history of prenatal alcohol exposure.

If you are interested in requesting an assessment for yourself or on someone’s behalf, contact the Diagnostic Coordina-

tor. All the options will be explored and necessary paperwork can begin. In order for the FASD Network to cover the

costs of an assessment, certain criteria needs to be met.

Supports and Services for Individuals, Families and Caregivers

Ongoing FASD skill building FASD knowledge and informational opportunities for agencies and their staff.

OUTREACH workers in the region provide the following:

Advocacy

Community links to service

Family and individual support for children and adults impacted by FASD

Basic life and community living skills

Information

Services for adults denied PDD support due to I.Q.

Assistance in developing strategies that will be successful in the home and other environments such as school or the

workplace

Strategies to reduce secondary disabilities such as trouble with the law, alcohol and drug problems, mental

health problems, inappropriate sexual behavior etc.

Disruptive school experience

Referral for FASD Assessment and Diagnosis

FASD SERVICES AVAILABLE IN CENTRAL ALBERTA

There is no “Safe”

amount of alcohol use

during Pregnancy.

ON TRACK PARENT CHILD ASSIS-

TANCE PROGRAM

JANET: 403 340-0579

CENTRAL ALBERTA FASD CLINIC TRINA: 403 309-5648

FASD OUTREACH—RED DEER +

AREA

DARILYN: 403 347-8844

FASD OUTREACH—OLDS-SUNDRE +

AREA

MEL: 403 556-7877

FASD OUTREACH—ROCKY MOUN-

TAIN HOUSE + AREA

DON : 403 845-6306

FASD OUTREACH-DRUMHELLER,

HANNA, THREE HILLS, 3 C’S

LORI: 403 854-5852

REGIONAL NETWORK

COORDINATOR

BETTY LOU BENSON

403 309-5650

CENTRAL ALBERTA FASD SERVICE CONTACT NUMBERS

FASD Education Morning—Do You Want To Learn More

About FASD?

The FASD Network and Catholic Social Services

JOIN US! 9:30 am—NOON on the LAST Tuesday of

Every Month!

Where: Catholic Social Services 5104—48 Avenue,

Red Deer

Call: Shauna at 403 347-8844 or

Betty Lou at 403 309-5650

All are Welcome!! And it is FREE!!!