The SAMHSA FASD Center for Excellence is a federally funded initiative devoted to preventing and addressing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Their mandates are specified in the Children’s Health Act of 2000, sec. 519D (42 USC 290bb-25d), and have been in operation since 2001. They provide resources and information on FASD to expand the knowledge base and promote best practices in both prevention and treatment.
Their Web site contains many resources, including:
- Online and orderable curriculum and other training resources
- Downloadable and orderable “What You Kneed to Know” Fact Sheets
- A community calendar of events related to FASD.
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is dedicated to eliminating birth defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy and to improving the quality of life for those affected individuals and families.
Internet Resource for Special Children
The FAS link under the Cognitive Disabilities section of this page contains links to many sites containing various information on FASD.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Information, Support and Communications Link
FASlink is the Canadian Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Internet information, support, advocacy and discussion forum. FASlink maintains an extensive FASD information website and a discussion listserve, serving more than 400,000 people annually with more than 100,000 FASD related documents in a searchable database (the FASlink Archives).
Fetal Alcohol And Drug Unit
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: University of Washington School of Medicine. The Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit is a research unit dedicated to the prevention, intervention and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE).
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention:The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a government run and funded program, and has been involved in FAS-related activities since 1991. The focus of the CDC-FAS division is to prevent cases of FAS through education and research.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: The NIAAA conducts r esearch experiments about how alcohol affects the body and brain of children and adults. The web site offers pamphlets, brochures, and on-line newsletters.
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:NOFAS is a nonprofit organization founded in 1990. The mission of NOFAS is to increase awareness of the risks of alcohol and pregnancy, and to develop educational messages and programs for any population. The NOFAS website has many resources full of information, and even a link to request a NOFAS trainer to speak at workshops or other events.
The Arc: The Arc is a non-profit national organization founded in 1950 by and for people who are afflicted by mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. With over 140,000 members, the mission of The Arc is to ensure those afflicted have the services and support they need to develop and grow all across the country.
Double Arc:Double ARC is a non-profit organization founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1992. The focus of Double ARC is addressing the needs of children whose behavior and academic challenges put them at risk of failure. Double ARC also specializes in children with FASD who are challenged in academic areas.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic and Prevention Network: The FASDPN is collaboration of five Washington State hospitals that are focused on the prevention of FAS through screening, training, education, and intervention. The FASDPN has published over 150 research articles containing their findings of FAS. The website has detailed information on how they research and confirm the presence of FAS
March of Dimes: The March of Dime’s (MoD) was founded in 1938 by President Franklin Roosevelt, to help combat the epidemic of polio. Today the MoD focus is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and caring for those who are born with birth defects. The MoD is a very volunteer and donation orientated organization that in the last year alone over 3 million people volunteered their time. On the website is information concerning birth defects, links to their newsletters, and also a link to help sing up for donations and volunteer work.