History & Overview
The Network was initiated following a presentation in March 2002 organized by Public Health on Women’s Use of alcohol where interested health and social service providers were invited to meet again. The inaugural meeting was June 6, 2002.
Over the years projects initiated included
Our current Action Plan remains focused on Prevention, Support and Education.
Over the years projects initiated included
- An informal environmental scan to identify a starting point for community action;
- An alcohol free pregnancy media campaign;
- Identification of training opportunities and awareness raising activities;
- Development of the service providers training guide “SMART Guide: Motivational Stages of Change for pregnant women who use alcohol” (Compiled by AWARE – Action on Women’s Addiction, Research & Education);
- A community awareness in service plan was made;
- Ongoing collaborations with Queen’s University and the NeuroDevNet unit, now known as Kids Brain Health Network, which is involved in international research on FASD;
- Attendance at a Provincial conference “Fetal Alcohol Exposure: Time to Know, Time to Act” and regional conferences and Smart Guide training on women and alcohol use in 2003;
- A regional physician survey to assess physicians interest in further training around screening women for alcohol use and FASD knowledge;
- Fall of 2003 Theatre Complete presentation (LDSB Focus program) on alcohol use to most high schools in the area;
- Provincial Alcohol-free pregnancy campaign April 2004;
- The first edition of the KFL&A FASD Resource Booklet was made and distributed in 2005;
- The Learning & Sharing caregiver support Group (precursor to the Parent Action Group) began in 2005;
- The FASD Action Network and neighbouring committees in Belleville and Brockville sponsored its first 2 day Intervention Conference –“Building Skills and Capacity around FASD in eastern Ontario” in April 2006;
- The FASD Action Network sponsored their first annual International FASD Day Breakfast and presentation in 2010 and we continue the tradition to date;
- Locally written, produced and performed theatre production about FASD called “Jacob’s Story” opens to rave reviews in 2014. It has since been well received provincially and nationally;
- Network sponsored community conference in 2014;
- Ongoing community awareness presentations to local service providers, primary care practitioners, students and academics;
- 2 day conference in November 2016 on “FASD and other Neurobehavioural Conditions: Understanding & Application of a Brain Based Approach”.
- 10th Anniversary FASD Awareness Breakfast September 9th, 2019 with Presentation: The True Face of FASD - the FASD Parent Action Network of South Eastern Ontario
Our current Action Plan remains focused on Prevention, Support and Education.
WHO ARE WE ... Our community members
Family members
Individual community members
KFLA Public Health
Community Living Kingston
Kingston Community Health Centres
Kingston Health Sciences
KidsInclusive
Ongwanada
L&A Resources for Children
Limestone District School Board
Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
Family and Children Services Frontenac, Lennox & Addington