FASD Support and Resources in Alberta

February 8-9, 2010: Promising Practices, Promising Futures FASD Conference [Calgary]

Description:
The annual Promising Practices, Promising Futures FASD Conference will be held on February 8-9, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Calgary, Alberta. "This important multidisciplinary conference that will focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and its impact on individuals, families, communities and society at large. The two-day conference will feature Keynote speaker Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire, half-day plenaries with Dr. Bruce Perry and Dr. Mark Gold, breakout sessions and a community showcase."

OBJECTIVES:
Over the course of the two-day conference, participants can expect to:

• increase their knowledge on recent developments in the field of FASD in Alberta and Canada;
• meet with people from all areas of the FASD field; and
• increase their understanding of lives affected by FASD.

Dates: February 8-9, 2010
Location: Hyatt Regency Calgary Hotel, 700 Centre Street SE, Calgary, Alberta.

Registration will open in November.

More Info:
More information will be posted here as it becomes available. Future details will also be posted at www.child.alberta.ca/FASD.

Advance Notice Poster (.pdf format).

Video Public Service Announcement Competition on FASD [Alberta]

Description:
The Edmonton Fetal Alcohol Network (EFAN) is hosting a video PSA competition which will conclude with the debuting of the videos and awards ceremony for International FASD Day (Sept 9, 2009).

Contest is open now, with a deadline of August 1, 2009 at 3pm

Topics can be based on the following:
Alcohol Education
- What is sensible or responsible drinking?
- How can I support safe drinking?
- How do advertisements impact my drinking behaviors?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- What is FASD?
- How does FASD impact a child and/or adult?
- How can we prevent FASD?

Community Response
- How can we support healthy pregnancies?
- How can we support individuals and families impacted by FASD?

More info:
One page poster about the PSA competition (PDF 29K)
One page poster about the FASD Flick Awards Night on September 9, 2009 (PDF 75K)
Download contest info (Word .doc format 71K)
Download release form (Word .doc format 37K)
Download PSA Video entry form (Word .doc format 57K)

FASD Adult Case Management seminars [Alberta / BC]

Description:
Renae Sanford, formerly Richards, teaches FASD Adult Case Management in both BC and Alberta. She was formerly working with the now-defunct Wholistic Family Legacy Foundation. She wrote to say "I am however still very much involved with FASD. I am living in Salmon Arm BC and still teaching FASD Adult Case Management in both BC and Alberta. My e-mail address remains renae_r@telus.net. I will be very happy to hear from any persons about FASD."

Contact Info:
Renae can be contacted at renae_r@telus.net

FASD Online Courses from SIAST [online]

Description:
The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) is offering an online course on FASD!!!!

The course is a valuable supplement to many Community Services programs ( including Early Childhood Development, Education, Rehabilitation Worker, Youth Care Worker, Educational Assistant, Therapeutic Recreation, Chemical Dependency and Corrections Workers) or to anyone who has an interest in this subject. This course is starting from March 2, 2009 until July 17, 2009.

Access Info:
FASD Online Courses from SIAST

Persons with Developmental Disabilities: Service Providers [Alberta]

Description:
"The PDD program, which is part of the Ministry of Seniors and Community Supports, provides supports to adults who have a developmental disability. Six community boards deliver local programs and work with adults with developmental disabilities, their families and guardians to identify needs. The boards also work with local agencies to provide services." (from PDD website)

The PDD website has links to the 6 community boards, each of which then has listings of service providers in that area. For example, there are about 40 agencies listed as providing PDD-related services in the Calgary area, offering a variety of services ranging from Supported Independent Living and Overnight Staffed Residences, to Respite and Employment Preparation.

We have lengthier listings of some of these agencies and their services on this fasd.typepad.com site. However, there are other agencies which we have not researched at all. It is up to you to determine whether the services offered apply to your situation, and whether or not you find any agency's staff, philosophy, and so on compatible with you.

Note also that to be eligible for PDD services, the individual with FASD must meet all three key criteria of developmental disability, namely: Sigificantly below average intellectual ability, onset prior to age 18, and related limitations in adaptive skill functioning (life skills).

Access Info:
List of Community Boards for all areas of Alberta. This page provides links to the websites of the various community boards, as well as a map if you are unsure as to what board your town falls under. On those pages, you will find links to listings of service providers. For your convenience, we have included the following direct links:
Calgary Service Providers  (PDF format)
Edmonton Service Providers

Super Duper Publications [World]

Description:

Super Duper Publications is an online store with many educational materials for special needs and regular needs.  Their occupational therapy related products include ones for autism, oral motor, sensory, social skills, visual perception, etc. They offer free shipping to Canada and the U.S.

Contact Info:

Website with products and online ordering: Super Duper Publications website

Camp He Ho Ha [Alberta]

Description:

Located northwest of Wabamun, Camp He Ho Ha  (Health, Hope & Happiness) 'accepts, and provides programs, for individuals who have any type and any degree of disability or illness.

Eleven camps (5 or 6 days in length) are provided each year with the following groups accessing the programs.

1. Teens & Children with Mental Disabilities (6-17 yrs)
2. Teens & Children with Physical Disabilities (6-17 yrs)
3. Young Adults with Mental Disabilities (18-32 yrs)
4. Young Adults with Physical Disabilities (18-32 yrs)
5. Adults with Mental Disabilities (33-50 yrs)
6. Adults with Physical Disabilities (33-50 yrs)
7. Seniors (55+ yrs)
8. Adults and Young Adults with Mental disabilities'

Contact Info:

Matthew Saad, Summer Camp Coordinator

Camp Health, Hope & Happiness

Box 182, Seba Beach, Alberta T0E 2B0

Tel. 780 429-3277 or 780 797-3854  Fax 780 797-3812

Website: Summer Camps at Camp He Ho Ha

Other Info:

Some of the summer programs provided are pool, performing arts, arts & crafts, waterfront, out-tripping, climbing wall and ropes course, etc.

Rehoboth Christian Ministries [Alberta]

Description:

'Rehoboth offers services to "developmentally disabled" adults and children....'  These services include:

* residential services ('24-hour residential supports in both urban and rural communities'),

* vocational services ('providing flexible and realistic working environments in which clients may discover and develop their individual interests and aptitudes'),

* respite options (in-home support or with a host family),

* outreach services ('in-home services to adult individuals residing in the community in an effort to ensure continued growth and development for the individual')

* summer camps for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Contact Info:

Rehoboth has offices in Stony Plain (780) 963-4044, Calgary (403) 250-7333, Coaldale (403) 345-5199, Three Hills (403) 443-2239 and Grande Prairie (780) 532-5611.

Full addresses and fax numbers are available on their contact page: Rehoboth Contact Us by Region

Website: Rehoboth Christian Ministries

Child Disability Resource Link [Alberta]

Description:

The Child Disability Resource Link gives callers information about a wide range of government and community supports, services and resources for children with disabilities and their families.

Contact Info:

Information and referral specialists will be available toll-free weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling 1-866-346-4661.

Other Info:

A service of the Government of Alberta.

Family Support for Children with Disabilities [Alberta]

Description:
"Family support services are available to families caring for a child with a diagnosed disability or to families who are awaiting confirmation of their child's diagnosis. These services are primarily based on the needs as identified by the family.

In addition to information, referral and advocacy supports, family support services also include assistance with counselling, extraordinary clothing and footwear costs, travel costs for medical appointments, meals while traveling to medical appointments, accommodation costs associated with attending medical appointments and respite services.

Child-focused services are provided when a child has a confirmed diagnosis and assessment information to specify their individual needs. Child-focused services provide a range of respite services, aide supports, child care supports, health-related supports, specialized services for children with severe disabilities and out-of-home living arrangements."

Contact Info:
Family Support for Children with Disabilities
#500 ING Building
10130 -103 St. NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3N6
Tel. 780 427-4354
Provincial program: 780 427-2551 (toll-free 310-0000)
Child Disability Resource Link: province-wide # 1-866-346-4661 (weekdays 8 - 8, Saturdays 8 - 4)
Family Support for Children with Disabilities - website

Other Info:
This is a wonderful service of the Alberta Government.  Thanks for helping us care for the ones we love!

Southpaw Enterprises [World]

Description:

'A community of people and products dedicated to children with special challenges and those who care for them. We offer sensory integration and developmental products, pediatric therapy equipment, resources, and support for therapeutic professionals, health care professionals, schools, and families.'

Southpaw is a website with extensive sensory integration products, equipment and resources.

Contact Info:

Website with products and online ordering: Southpaw Enterprises Product Catalogue.

Other Info:

Product categories include fine motor, floor, infant, inflatables, musical/oral, suspension, swings, tactile, weights and Henry OT Product Group.

Southpaw is based in Dayton Ohio.  Additional contact information is on their website.

Tools for Kids [Alberta / World]

Description:

'Tools For Kids is a home based business in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada and can be considered a "one stop shopping" outlet for most of your therapy needs. We encourage parents to become active in the treatment of their child(ren) and purchase the products themselves, rather than relying on the schools or therapists. Funding is low and they cannot possibly afford to buy needed items for each of these important children.'

Contact Info:

Website with products and order forms (to fax or mail in): Tools for Kids Website

Mailing address:  Tools for Kids

1511 Lakeside Green, St. Albert, Alberta T8N 3R3

Fax 780 419-3324

Other Info:

Products include paper, scissors, writing aids, weighted items, the Alert Program, and miscellaneous.  Tools for Kids is the Canadian supplier for PDP products and also carries the Handwriting without Tears Workbooks.

This is an online store.  The address is for mailing purposes only.

FAS Bookshelf [Canada / World]

Description:

FAS Bookshelf, a British Columbia-based company, is 'an Internet and mail order service committed to providing you with a wide range of resources that you may find helpful. Our goal is to make your search for resources and information easier and less time consuming.'

Their website sells books, videos, posters and other resources related to the topic of FASD. They ship items around the world.

Contact Info:

FAS Bookshelf Inc.

#438 - 6540 East Hastings St., Burnaby BC V5B 4Z5

Tel 604 942-2024  Fax  604 942-2041

Website:  FAS Bookshelf Website

(use website to look for items and to place orders)

Learning about FAS [PowerPoint Presentation]

Description:
This presentation has 28 slides about FAS/FAE, including specific information on how alcohol can affect different aspects of a baby's development throughout pregnancy.  Nine of the slides detail the development of the baby during pregnancy.

This presentation by Lauren Yallop (psych. intern student at Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre 2002/2003) was originally distributed in a flipchart format by the Alberta Aboriginal Committee on FAS.  Now offered as a PowerPoint presentation.

ZIP file with Presentation (located on Region 6 FASD website)

First Nations & Inuit Health [Articles]

Description:

This section of the Health Canada website 'profiles Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) as it affects First Nations and Inuit communities and some of the strategies that are being used to deal with these conditions.'

It has a brief discussion of the issue and several links to other Health Canada documents. One of these is "It Takes a Community", a pdf document in two parts:  "A framework for the First Nations and Inuit Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects Initiative" and "Resource Manual for Community-Based Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects" (this 137 page document is extensive).

Website:  FASD and First Nations / Inuit Health

Webpage: "It Takes a Community" summary page with PDF link and table of contents.

The right educational environment for children with FASD

We, the biological parents, adoptive parents, and foster parents of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, would like our children to receive an education in an environment that meets their specific and unique needs.

Our children have a common set of characteristics which makes it difficult for them to learn.  These include the following:

¨        Difficulty understanding consequences for their behaviour

¨        Difficulty following multi-step directions and tasks

¨        Difficulty with distractions

¨        Difficulty with abstract concepts

¨        Difficulty with socialization skills

Accordingly, they need an educational environment which offers:

¨        Greater supervision

¨        Simple directions given clearly and slowly

¨        A structured consistent environment throughout the day

¨        A neutral, distraction-free environment and calming techiques

¨        Constant repetition in their learning

¨        Concrete learning tasks, set in a context and retaught for new situations

¨        Assistance in maintaining personal space and interacting with others.

(these items have been summarized from an article on the Right Program in Winnipeg)

A program specifically geared to our children will give them a safe environment which matches their ability to learn, provide valuable life skills, and celebrate their strengths and talents.  In the long run, we hope to decrease the frustration which they experience in a regular classroom setting, reduce the number of secondary disabilities (i.e., substance abuse, delinquency, unwanted pregnancy), and provide them with a broader and better range of options for their lives after schooling is complete.

Such a program would also have classrooms which are adapted for the special needs of children with FASD and sensory integration issues.  See some photos of an adapted classroom

Interested in making such a program a reality in Edmonton?   Read our School Options in Edmonton article and send us a comment...

Groundwork Press [B.C. / World]

Description:

'Groundwork Press publishes books and other materials for the parents and professionals who care for children living with challenges.'

Some titles published by them include Living with FASD: A Guide for Parents and educational brochures for Youth and for Beverage Servers.

Contact Info:

Website with book catalogue and online ordering: Groundwork Press

Society of Special Needs Adoptive Parents [B.C. / Canada]

Description:

'Our support services include a library of close to 15,000 items with up-to-date resources on many topics such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Learning Disabilities (LD), attachment issues and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In fact, we have one of the largest selections of resources on FASD in Canada. These consist of science-based research materials as well as hands-on publications that deal with daily issues like bullying, respite care, difficulty fitting in at school, behavioural issues and strategies for parents on what to do if your child has experienced trauma or abuse.'

While S.N.A.P. offers some services specifically to families in B.C., they have an extensive library (as mentioned in previous paragraph) and also publish books via Groundwork Press.

Note: unfortunately, due to the B.C. government funding being discontinued, the library no longer lends out anything.  However, one is still able to search through the online listings of written resources.

Contact Info:

Website: SNAP - Special Needs Adoptive Parents

Other Info:

SNAP is a provincially registered not-for-profit and federally registered charity that helps families with challenges through mutual support, information, sharing and advocacy.

FAS-T: A National Training Program [Alberta/Canada]

Description:

'FAS-T provides a variety of training programs to meet the needs of agencies and organizations - from 2 hour seminars to 3 day intensive participant-oriented training.' (from CCSA)

Contact Info:

Ms. Dianna Souveny, Training Coordinator
Dynamic Networks Psychological Services
79 Hill Cres., Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6G3
Tel. 403 343-8876 Fax 403 343-8675
Email: dynamicnetworks@shaw.ca

FAS Consultant [Alberta]

Description:
"Consults with communities and families and promotes awareness through workshops and discussion of solutions in response to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; supports and creates parent support groups to build a network for families to access.  Marilyn has presented at many conferences and workshops across the country.' (from CCSA)

Contact Info:
FAS Consultant
Ms. Marilyn Frye
Box 3533, Wainwright, Alberta T9W 1T5
Tel. 780 842-2802  Fax  780 842-5987

Other Info:
Along with being an educator in the area of FASD, Ms. Frye is also the parent of a son with FASD.  Workshops presented for a sliding fee scale.

Alberta Aboriginal Committee on FASD [Alberta]

Description:
This committee works to 'ensure that all aspects of primary prevention, intervention, and support are delivered in a culturally appropriate manner and... to incorporate Aboriginal teachings and traditions....' (from CCSA)

Contact Info:
Alberta Aboriginal Committee on FASD
Beverly Allard, Co-chair  and Marcia Medicine Shield, Co-chair
Tel.   780 423-2285 ext. 132   Fax  780 458-1883
Email: ballard@bissellcentre.org

List of Some Professionals and Agencies [Alberta]

Description:

This is a listing of various professionals and agencies across Alberta, who work in the area of FASD.  The list gives the name of the town or city, the name of the agency or person, and email addresses in most cases.  Unfortunately, it does not usually specify the kind of service provided.  Nonetheless, the list may prove helpful to someone living in a smaller centre.

FASD Friends webpage

Other Info:

Some of these items from the above-listed webpage are posted elsewhere on our site, with more detail.