Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Project Resources |
The Source
The Source is a directory of resources for human service workers and families concerned with maternal substance abuse and children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or perinatal drug exposure. It includes the following areas:
Child Health & Development Services
Resources for children and families to support children’s medical needs and development. Please refer to the Health Services section for additional resources for health care. Resources in this section include information about: educational services, early intervention, therapies, developmental testing, psychological testing, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) diagnostic services and mental health services to support emotional and behavioral development.
Community & Family Resources
Community agencies and organizations and information resources that may be helpful to families in accessing and paying for services, advocating for individuals with FASD and learning more about FASD.
Health Services
Community and public health resources for both children and women including family planning, and prenatal care
Maternal Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Programs throughout Colorado with special emphasis on Adams, Denver, Jefferson, and Larimer Counties
Legal Services
Free or low cost legal services for families or individuals
Prevention, Education, and Training
Colorado resources focused on the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse and training for professionals and families around Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
State and National Organizations
Professional organizations, state and national programs that advocate for the prevention of FASD, for families affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and a selected list of internet resource sites for both families affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and providers who care for these children and families. These programs work to increase and improve resources and to support families and individuals with FASD.
The Source is available on this website or in paper copies by contacting crcsn@state.co.us .
Colorado Resources for Families
These are many of the resources that a family with a child or family member with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders might find useful.
NOFAS Colorado
Formerly The Colorado Fetal Alcohol and Substance Abuse Coalition
The Coalition meets the first Thursday of each month from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Council on Substance Abuse and Mental Health, 655 Broadway, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80203 (the Compass Bank Building).
Contact either April Montgomery, Colorado Responds to Children with Special Needs, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 303-692-2620, crcsn@state.co.us or Eileen Bisgard at 303-654-3246, Eileen.bisgard@judicial.state.co.us
Organized in 1991, the this statewide coalition is made up of family members and representatives from organizations within Colorado who are interested in issues related to prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs and services for individuals and affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and their families. The purpose is to exchange information and to learn about resources within Colorado. Membership consists of educators, human service providers, public health workers, parents, therapists, physicians, nurses, and psychologists. The NOFAS Colorado sponsors conferences, educational workshops, and parent support activities.
The Fetal Alcohol/Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Prevention Outreach Project (FASPOP)
Colorado Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
UCHSC at Fitzsimons
Colorado AHEC Program
P.O. Box 6508, Mail Stop F433
Aurora, CO 80045-0508Phone: 303-724-0327 or 1-866-474-1022 (Toll-free)
Fax: 303-724-0892
E-mail: Pamela.Gillen@UCHSC.edu
Web site: http://www.uchsc.edu/ahec/fas/about.htm
The Fetal Alcohol/Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs (FAS/ATOD) Prevention Outreach Project
(POP) is a collaborative effort involving numerous community sectors and health, education, social service, law enforcement and community groups. The program has a statewide focus utilizing the Colorado AHEC system to provide program services to all regions of the state.
The key strategies and goals for POP include: 1) information - to increase overall awareness of the nature and scope of the FAS/ATOD problem and effective strategies to prevent the problem; 2) education - to increase the knowledge and skills of individuals who work with high risk populations in the area of effective FAS/ATOD prevention; 3) problem identification and referral - to increase FAS/ATOD knowledge and problem identification and referral skills of health and human service providers who work with high risk individuals; 4) community based- to develop the capacity of local community groups to address FAS/ATOD issues in their area; 5) environmental - to increase overall knowledge of effective FAS/ATOD policies and help change current attitudes in the communities.
Parent Support Groups
North Denver County Parent Support Group
Please contact Eileen Bisgard at 303-654-3246 or Eileen.bisgard@judicial.state.co.us
Colorado Springs Parent Support Group
If you want to connect with other parents in the Colorado Springs area concerning issues with your friends, children, or other family members around Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, call Denise Leffingwell, Adoption Care Coordinator, at 444-8378, or Lin Quinlan, Parent Coordinator, at 266-0555.
On-Line List Serve
ColoadoFAS@yahoo.groups.com
For parents only to exchange information and support
The Source
A Directory of Resources for Families and Human Services Workers Concerned with Maternal Substance Abuse and Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Colorado Responds to Children with Special Needs
This is the place to find resources in Colorado for families and service providers who are living with and working with children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. It lists health care providers, diagnostic clinics, therapists of all types, mental health providers, substance abuse treatment providers, child care providers, national web sites, and much, much more. The Source can be found at the above web site. A limited number of printed copies are available. If you have a special project, for which you need copies please contact April Montgomery at crcsn@state.co.us.
Sewall Child Development Center
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic Clinic
1360 Vine Street
Denver, CO 80206
Tel: (303) 399-1800
Fax: (303 399-1419
Website: www.sewall.org
Sewall Child Development Center has a multi-disciplinary Diagnostic and Evaluation Clinic that includes a pediatrician trained in making a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Sewall has focused on providing educational and therapeutic services to young children and their families since 1980. Sewall's early intervention services include special education, speech/language, and motor therapies; developmental preschool, childcare, individual and family therapy, and family support.
Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs (HCP)
Contact your local public health department or county nursing service
or call
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
(303) 692-2370
E-mail: cdphe.psdrequests@state.co.us
Do you have concerns about your child's health or development?
Do you suspect or have you been told that your child, or a child you know, has a chronic health related condition including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?
The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs program works to support children with special health care needs and their families.
They can help you find services and resources such as diagnostic clinics, therapists, and community resources.
These services are free and available to all families with children in your community.
ARC of Colorado
www.thearcofco.org
8000 East Prentice Avenue
Suite D-1
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel: 303.864.9334
Toll Free: 800.333.7690
Fax: 303.864.9330
Email: bbaesman@thearcofco.org
The ARC has made individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and their families a population of special interest. The Arc of Colorado advocates with others to create the conditions under which all people with developmental disabilities experience opportunities to develop competency and to make choices, to have good relationships with family members and friends, to have respect and dignity, and to be full participants in all community living. Their goal is to help people with disabilities and their families become knowledgeable about disabilities and the services and supports that are available. A variety of other services may be provided by individual chapters.
Child Find
Local Public School Districts
Call your local school district office or
the Colorado Department of Education at 303-866-6943
to receive the name of the contact for your area
Child Find is one of the primary public providers for developmental screening, assessment, and referral for children who have or are suspected of having developmental delays. Child Find is responsible for assessment and establishing eligibility for individuals from birth to 21 years of age. The school system provides services beginning at age 3. (They can tell you which program in your area serves children birth through 3 years of age.) The exact services provided are dependent upon the individual child’s needs, which may include but not be limited to speech/language therapy and occupational therapy.
The primary role of the Child Find Team(s) is to locate, evaluate, and identify children with special needs. Each school district decides how to handle this and it may look different district-to-district.
PEAK Parent Center
Hotline: 1-800-284-0251
Denver Office
1177 Grant Ave, Suite 104
Denver, CO 80203
phone:1-303-864-1900
Fax 1-303-864-0035
email: outreach@peakparent.org
Parent Advisors: 1-800-284-0251 or parentadvisor@peakparent.org
Colorado Springs Office
611 North Weber, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-531-9400
Fax 719-531-9452
Hotline: 1-800-284-0251
e-mail: info@peakparent.org
Parent Advisors: 1-800-284-0251 or parentadvisor@peakparent.org
PEAK Parent Center is Colorado's Parent Training and Information Center. It is a statewide organization of parents of children with disabilities reaching out to assist other parents and professionals. PEAK Parent Center's commitment is that children, youth, and adults with disabilities lead rich, active lives and participate as full members of their schools and communities. They also offer a very detailed calendar on the Peak Parent Website at http://www.peakparent.org/calendar.asp. The calendar can be searched by dates, disability category or month.
17th Judicial District FASD Initiative
100 Judicial Center Drive
Brighton, CO 80601
www.17thjudicialdistrict.com/splashfasd.html
303-654-3246
Eileen.bisgard@judicial.state.co.us
The Seventeenth Judicial District FASD Initiative is a multi-disciplinary, inter-agency project formed to study and develop better practices in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in children and adolescents. They screen and diagnose children and youth entering the juvenile justice system in Adams County. Their web site links to other useful web sites.
National Resources
There has been an explosion of internet resources and materials relating to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders over the last few years. A few of the resources we have found to be most valuable for families are mentioned below. Each of them leads to more resources if you are interested in learning more.
The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Center for Excellence
http://www.fascenter.samhsa.gov/
The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Center for Excellence is a project of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The FASD Center is a Federal initiative devoted to preventing and treating FASD. The mission of the FASD Center for Excellence is to facilitate the development and improvement of prevention, treatment, and care systems in the United States by providing national leadership and facilitating collaboration in the field. The Web site provides information and resources about FASD. For more help, you can request training and technical assistance. It also provides materials you can use to raise awareness about FASD.
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
900 17th Street, Northwest, Suite 910
Washington, D.C. 20006
Tel: (202) 785-4585 and 1-800-66-NOFAS toll-free)
Fax: (202) 466-6456
E-mail: information@nofas.org
Web Site: http:\\www.nofas.org
NOFAS is committed to raising public awareness about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the leading cause of mental retardation, and seeks to implement innovative ideas in prevention, education, intervention and advocacy. NOFAS takes a multicultural approach to prevention and healing among individuals, families and communities. NOFAS publishes brochures and a quarterly newsletter, “Notes on NOFAS”, which is free. They also have a state-by-state resource directory developed in conjunction with the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention that can be purchased or can be requested from their own state. This comprehensive listing of services contains valuable information for physicians, health care workers, FAS program counselors, teachers, parents and others seeking quick and accurate information NOFAS sponsors community seminars, and a national conference; call for further details.
Family Empowerment Network (FEN)
UW Dept. of Family Medicine
777 South Mills Street
Madison, WI. 53715
Contact Person: Patricia Cameron
Tel: (1- 800) 462-5254, 608 262-6590
Fax: 608 265-2329
Email: fen@fammed.wisc.edu
Website: www.fammed.wics.edu
A national organization serving families affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects and the professionals who work with them. FEN does research and provides resource materials, technical assistance, an 1-800 advocate phone line, educational opportunities, an annual conference, and a teleconference series. Their mission is to empower families through education. Their web site is comprehensive and links to many other relevant web sites. It is a good place to start.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/default.htm
This federal agency monitors Health, detects and investigates health problems, conducts research to enhance prevention, and develops public policy to promote healthy behaviors nationally and worldwide. CDC funds programs focusing on the prevention and surveillance of FAS and on prevention of secondary disability in children with prenatal fetal alcohol effects.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Consultation, Education and Training Services, Inc. (FASCETS)
http://www.fascets.org
FASCETS is a non-profit organization whose objective in part is to support improved outcomes for those with FAS/ARND. Diane Malbin is a nationally known trainer and educator on techniques that work for individuals with FAS/FASD. She provides current information and resources for supporting children, adolescents and adults with FAS/ARND, and for professionals and agencies working with them.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Handbook
The University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities
http://www.usd.edu/cd
A well written handbook that provides an overview of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders with reference to other resources. It provides a readable starting place for those just learning about FAS. The entire handbook can be downloaded and printed.
Books
Suggested reading:
Fantastic Antone Succeeds edited by Judith Kleinfeld and Siobhan Westcott, University of Alaska Press
Fantastic Antone Grows Up edited by Judith Kleinfeld and Siobhan Westcott, University of Alaska Press
FAS :Parent and Child by Barbara A. Morris and Lyn Weiner
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Guide for Families and Communities by Ann Streissguth
Trying Differently Rather than Harder by Diane Malbin
More specific inquiries about these data or CRCSN are welcome and can be addressed to:
to write or call:
Colorado Responds to Children with Special Needs
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, DCEED-CRC-A3
Denver CO 80246-1530
Phone: (303)692-2700
Fax: (303)782-0904