FASD AWARENESS MONTH/DAY 2017 PACKET - … · FASD AWARENESS MONTH/DAY 2017 PACKET ... • Women’s health organizations • Schools (health classes, assemblies) • Houses of worship

AlcoholandPregnancyDon’tMix

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FASDAWARENESSMONTH/DAY2017PACKET

WorkingTogethertoPreventFetalAlcoholSpectrumDisorders(FASD)

SeptemberisFASDAwarenessMonth

September9thisInternationalFASDAwarenessDay

Pregnancyandalcoholdon’tmix-FundingprovidedinpartbytheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.TheNationalOrganizationonFetalAlcoholSyndrome(NOFAS)andtheirpartnerorganizationsthatdevelopedthispacketaresolelyresponsibleforitscontent.ThecontentdoesnotnecessarilyrepresenttheofficialviewsoftheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC).

NationalOrganizationonFetalAlcoholSyndrome

andtheCollaborativeCommitteeonFASDAwarenessMonth


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DearColleague:September9thiscelebratedannuallyasInternationalFASDAwarenessDaytopromoteeducationandawarenesseffortsonFASD.Morerecently,themonthofSeptemberhasbeendesignatedasFASDAwarenessMonth.FASDsarecompletelypreventablebyabstainingfromalcoholwhilepregnant.Despitemythsandmisconceptions,thereisnoscientificevidencethatconfirmsa“safe”amountofalcoholthatwillnotaffectthedevelopingfetus.TorecognizeFASDAwarenessMonthandDaythisyear,theNationalOrganizationonFetalAlcoholSyndrome(NOFAS)anditsAffiliateNetwork;theAmericanAcademyofPediatrics(AAP);theAmericanCongressofObstetriciansandGynecologists(ACOG);andtheCDC-fundedFASDPracticeandImplementationCenters(PICS),andNationalPartnersandFASDadvocatesfromacrosstheglobehavejoinedtogethertoproducethispacketofmaterialstoassistyouinplanningyouractivitiesandevents.Visitwww.nofas.org/fasdmonthforupdateddetailsonFASDMonthandFASDDay.

Contents

GETINVOLVED!HERE’SWHY.......................................................................................................................3

GETINVOLVED!HERE’SHOW.....................................................................................................................4

SAMPLESOCIALMEDIAMESSAGES.............................................................................................................5

SOCIALMEDIACAMPAIGNS.........................................................................................................................6

LOCALACTIVITIESANDEVENTS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7

2017ARTCONTEST-NOFASCAMPAIGN.....................................................................................................8

SAMPLENEWSRELEASE/NEWSLETTERARTICLE..........................................................................................9

INTRODUCTIONTOTHEPROCLAMATION………………………………………………………………………………………………10

SAMPLEPROCLAMATION..........................................................................................................................12

RESOURCESFORPREVENTINGFASDANDFORFAMILIESLIVINGWITHFASDs.........................................13

CENTERSFORDISEASECONTROLANDPREVENTIONMATERIALS.............................................................16

IfyouhavequestionsaboutthematerialspresentedinthispacketoraboutFASDAwarenessMonthandInternationalFASDAwarenessDay,pleasecontactNOFASVice-PresidentKathyMitchellatmitchell@nofas.organd/[email protected].


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GETINVOLVED!HERE’SWHY

• Noamountofalcoholuseisknowntobesafeforadevelopingbabybeforebirth.

• Exposuretoalcoholfromalltypesofbeverages,includingbeerandwine,posesarisktodevelopingbabiesateverystageofpregnancy.

• Adevelopingbabyisexposedtothesameconcentrationofalcoholasthepregnantwoman.

• FASDsarecompletelypreventableifadevelopingbabyisnotexposedtoalcoholbeforebirth.

• Avoidingallalcoholwhilepregnant(orwhileatriskforpregnancy)willabsolutelyguaranteethat

achildwillnothaveaconditionalongthecontinuumoffetalalcoholspectrumdisorders(FASDs).

• Anestimated40,000babiesareborneachyearwithFASDs,whichcanresultinbirthdefects,

intellectualorlearningdisabilities,behaviorproblems,andtroublelearninglifeskills.

• TheratesofFASDareestimatedtobecomparabletotheratesofAutism.Upto1in20U.S.schoolchildrenmayhaveanFASD.

• FASD-relateddisorderslastalifetime.

• Makeaplanforahealthybaby--don’tdrinkanyalcoholifyouarepregnantorcouldbecome

pregnant.It’sestimatedthathalfofallpregnanciesintheU.S.areunplannedandthatawomanmaynotrealizesheispregnantupto4to6weeksinpregnancyandexposeherbabytoalcoholbeforesheknowssheispregnant.

• Ifyoubecomepregnant,stopdrinkingalcohol.Everydaymatters.Thesooneryoustopdrinking,

thebetterforyourbaby.Ifyouneedhelpstopping,talktoyourdoctor,orcontactanaddictiontreatmentagency/recoveryprogram,suchasAlcoholicsAnonymous(AA).


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GETINVOLVED!HERE’SHOW

• Sharethefactsheetinformation(page3)withyourcontactstohelpraiseawarenessabouttheharmfuleffectsofdrinkingalcoholduringpregnancy.

• Usethesocialmediamessagesinthepacket(page5)toraiseawarenessofthistopicin

SeptemberandparticularlyonandaroundSeptember9th.Usethehashtag#FASDMonthand#FASDaytofolloweachother’smessages.SharemessagesonFacebook,Twitter,andothersocialmediasites.

• Enterthe2017artcontest/NOFAScampaignon“whatFASDmeanstome.”(page8)

• JointheFASDMonthTwitterchatonSeptember6th,2017(page6)usingthehashtag#FASDchat.

• JointheThunderclapcampaignthroughsocialmedia(page6).http://thndr.me/Ui8vdD

• DownloadorordernewmaterialsfromCDCNCBDDDWebsite

(https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/)ontherisksofalcoholuseduringpregnancyandFASDstouseincommunityevents.

• OrderpostcardsfromNOFASfeaturingtheimagefromtheinternational“TooYoungtoDrink”

campaign.Distributethesepostcardstolocalbusinessesandsendthemtopolicymakers,teachers,OB-GYNsandothers,tospreadFASDawareness.

• Planalocalactivityorevent(page7).SubmityourFASDactivityontheNOFASFASDMonth/Day

Webpage:Let’sworktogethertospreadthewordaboutFASDsandtherisksofalcoholuseduringpregnancybysharingourFASDAwarenessDayactivities!NOFASwillbepostingallawarenessactivitiesandeventsonitswebsite,sopleaseuploadinformationonwhatyouareplanningtodoforFASDAwarenessMonthandDaythroughthisonlineform.Yourideascanhelpothersintheirplanning.

• Usethepressrelease/samplearticle(page9)inyourmediamessages,andthroughyour

distributionlists,newslettersandothercommunicationchannelstoraiseawarenessofFASDonSeptember9,2017,InternationalFASDAwarenessDayandthroughoutSeptember,FASDAwarenessMonth.

• Usethetipsinthispackettogetaproclamation(page10)fromyourelectedofficial(Governor

orMayor)recognizingSeptemberasFASDAwarenessMonthand/orSeptember9asFASDAwarenessDay(sampleproclamationincluded).


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SAMPLESOCIALMEDIAMESSAGESThefollowingaremessagesaboutfetalalcoholspectrumdisorders(FASDs)thatcanbesharedthroughsocialmedia(e.g.,Facebook,Twitter,Instagram)onInternationalFASDAwarenessDay-September9,2017andthroughoutthemonthofSeptember.Forothermaterialsthatcanbeusedonline,suchaswebbannersandwebsitebuttons,pleaserefertotheCDCMaterialssectionofthispacket.Themessageslistedbelowareunder140charactersandcanbeusedastweets.Youmaycombinethesemessagesforothersocialmediasitesthatallowforlongerposts,suchasFacebookandInstagram.Usethehashtag#FASDMonthonallpostsinordertospreadthemessagethatalcoholandpregnancydon’tmix.Fortipsonusingsocialmedia,refertotheCDCpublication,TheHealthCommunicator’sSocialMediaToolkit.Forspecifichelponhowtotweet,visittheTwitterHelpCenter.

1. Noamountofalcoholuseisknowntobesafeforadevelopingbabybeforebirth.#FASDMonthhttp://1.usa.gov/Q7BNal

2. Alcoholuseduringpregnancycanleadtomiscarriage,stillbirth,&SIDS.#FASDMonthhttp://1.usa.gov/Q7hytl

3. Prenatalalcoholexposureisassociatedwitharangeoflifelongphysical,behavioral,andintellectualdisabilities.#FASDMonth

4. Thebestadviceistostopdrinkingalcoholwhenyoustarttryingtogetpregnant.#FASDMonthhttp://1.usa.gov/Q7hytl

5. Adevelopingfetusisexposedtothesameconcentrationofalcoholasthepregnantwoman.#FASDMonthhttp://1.usa.gov/1hCpMV2

6. Baby’sbrain,body,&organsaredevelopingthroughoutpregnancy&canbeaffectedbyalcoholatanytime.#FASDMonth

7. Alcoholexposureisunsafefordevelopingbabiesateverystageofpregnancy.#FASDMonth8. Exposuretoalcoholfromalltypesofbeverages,includingbeerandwine,isunsafefor

developingbabiesateverystageofpregnancy.#FASDMonthhttp://1.usa.gov/Q7BNal9. FASDsarecompletelypreventableifadevelopingbabyisnotexposedtoalcoholbeforebirth.

#FASDMonthhttp://1.usa.gov/1hCpMV210. Identifying&interveningw/childrenw/FASDsearlycanhelpthemreachtheirfullpotential.

#FASDMonthhttp://1.usa.gov/Q7hytl11. Alcoholscreening&counselingisrecommendedforalladults,incl.pregnantwomen.

#FASDMonthhttp://go.usa.gov/ZvvQ12. Ifyoubecomepregnant,stopdrinkingalcohol.Everydaymatters.Thesooneryoustopdrinking,

thebetterforyourbaby.#FASDMonthhttp://1.usa.gov/Q7BNal13. Ifyouneedhelpstopping,talktoyourdoctor,contactanaddictionspecialistorcontact

AlcoholicsAnonymous.#FASDMonth14. Makeaplanforahealthybaby--don’tdrinkanyalcoholifyouarepregnantorcouldbecome

pregnant.#FASDMonth


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SOCIALMEDIACAMPAIGNSTwitterChat:NOFASwillleadaTwitterChatforFASDAwarenessMonthonWednesday,September6that2:00p.m.Eastern.PartnersfortheTwitterChatincludeTheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC),TheAmericanCongressofObstetriciansandGynecologists(ACOG),andTheNationalAssociationofSocialWorkers(NASW).Thehashtagforthechatis#FASDchatEveryoneisinvitedtoparticipate.ThunderclapCampaign:GoheretojointheThunderclapcampaign:http://thndr.me/Ui8vdDTheThunderclapcampaignwilllaunchonSeptember9that9:09am.Thunderclapisa“crowdspeakingplatform”thathelpspeoplebeheardbymanypeoplepostingthesamemessagetogetheratthesametime.Itallowsasinglemessagetobemass-shared,soitrisesabovethenoiseofsocialnetworks.TheAwarenessMonth/DayplanningcommitteehasdecidedonthefollowingTweetMessage:TodayisFASDAwarenessDay!Noalcoholissafeduringpregnancy.#FASDMonthFactsoftheDay:EachdayinSeptember,anFASD-relatedfactwillbepostedonsocialmediabyNOFASandothers,andeveryoneisencouragedtosharethesefacts.FactswillcovervariousfacetsofFASD,includingpediatrics,prevention,addiction,adultswithFASD,education,andpublichealth.Somefactswillbetargetedtowardsspecifichealth-careprofessionals,includingnurses,socialworkers,medicalassistants,ObGyns,pediatricians,andfamilymedicinedoctors.


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LOCALACTIVITIESANDEVENTSIfyouhavealocalevent,pleasesubmitthiseventtoNOFASforinclusiononthewebpageforFASDAwarenessMonth.Thesubmissionformcanbefoundatwww.nofas.org/fasdmonthHerearesomeideasforthetypesofactivitiesandeventsyoucanputonforFASDAwarenessMonth:Localactivities:

• Trainings• Healthfairs/booths• Fundraisingwalks• Artcontests• Communityfestivals• Ralliesatlocal/stategovernmentbuildings• Dinners/picnics• Seminars/talks/presentations(organize“FASD101”talks)• Bellringing(communitygatheringwithlocalchurchesringingbellsat9:09am)• Distributematerials(NOFASK-12preventioncurriculum,CDCmaterials)• Meetingswithlegislatorsandpolicymakers

Communitiesandplacestotarget:

• Sororities• Doctor’soffices/hospitals• OB-GYNs• Women’shealthorganizations• Schools(healthclasses,assemblies)• Housesofworship• Localhealthdepartments• Statecapitol• Communitygroups(youthchurchgroups,scouting,MADD,supportgroups)

Awarenessmessages:

• Giveoutcoasterstobarsandrestaurantswithapreventionmessage• Restroomstallstickers• Holdinguplargepostersnearlandmarksights• LeavingbehindpensthathaveanFASDmessage

IfyouplantocontinueraisingawarenessaboutFASDandworkingontheissuebeyondthemonthofSeptember,theNOFASawarenessguide,“MakingaDifference:FASDPublicAwarenessGuide,”developedwiththeCDCFASDteam,hasinformationabouthowtostartasupportgrouporyouowncommunityorganization,howtodeveloppreventionactivities,andhowtoreachthemediaandotherimportantaudiences.


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2017ART/PHOTOCONTEST–NOFASCAMPAIGNPleasevisitthededicatedwebpagewww.nofas.org/artcontestforthelatestinformation.Concept:ToentertheFASDMonthartcontest:submitanimage,suchasaphotoorartwork,of“WhatFASDmeanstome”withtheideaofportrayingtherealityofhowpeopleandfamilieslivingwithFASDhaveawidevarietyofperspectives,andtochallengetheassumptionthatFASDonlylooksoneway.Youmayoptionallyincludeabriefdescription/storyalongwiththephoto.Thegoalofthiscampaignistodisplayartistic/stylizedphotos/art,ideallysomethingmorethanasimpleheadshotphoto.Youcanviewsample/exampleimagesontheartcontestwebpage.Everyoneiswelcometosubmitentries,anyage,withorwithoutFASD.Contestdetails:ThedeadlineforsubmissionsisFriday,August11th.Apanelofjudgeswillselectthewinningartsubmissions.ThewinningartsubmissionswillbeannouncedonFASDDay,September9th.WinnerswillhavetheirartfeaturedbyNOFASonline,insocialmedia,andinprintedmaterials,andmaybedisseminatedtoavarietyofaudiences.Thefirst-placewinner’sartwillbefeaturedinaspecial-editionposterthatwillbedisplayedattheNOFASInternationalGala,andtheywillreceiveonefreetickettothegala(transportationnotincluded).Exampleimagescanbeviewedonlineatwww.nofas.org/artcontestSubmissionscanbesenttoNOFASthroughanonlineformatwww.nofas.org/artcontestorbyemailormail.Pleaseincludeyourname,age,andcontactinformationalongwithyoursubmission.Contentguidelines:

• Youmayusetheartisticmedium/formatofyourchoice(suchasaphoto,drawing,penandink,markers,charcoal,CGI,soon)keepinginmindthattheimagewillbeviewedbyothersonlineandmaybeprintedintheformofpostcards/posters

• Imagesshouldbeflat(no3Dtexture)andlookgoodwhenprintedinavarietyofsizes(postcards/posters)

• Stigmatizing(blaming/shaming)orharshlynegativecontentwillnotbeconsidered.• Noexplicitorinappropriatecontentwillbeconsidered.


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SAMPLENEWSRELEASE/NEWSLETTERARTICLEFORIMMEDIATERELEASE Contact:(nameofpersonsubmittingrelease)September9,2017 (phone)–or–(email)(yourcity,yourstate)–(yourorganization)isjoiningthecausetoincreaseawarenessoftherisksofdrinkingalcoholwhilepregnant.TheU.S.SurgeonGeneraladvisespregnantwomenandwomenwhoareconsideringbecomingpregnanttoabstainfromalcoholconsumptiontoeliminatealcohol-exposedpregnancies,1yetitisestimatedthat40,000babiesareborneachyearwithFetalalcoholspectrumdisorders(FASD),anumbrellatermdescribingtherangeofeffectsthatcanoccurinanindividualwhowasexposedtoalcoholbeforebirth.Duringpregnancy,adevelopingbabyisexposedtothesameconcentrationofalcoholasthepregnantwoman.Noamountofalcoholuseisknowntobesafeforadevelopingbabybeforebirth.Exposuretoalcoholfromanytypeofbeverage,includingbeerandwine,isunsafefordevelopingbabiesateverystageofpregnancy.FASDsarecompletelypreventableifadevelopingbabyisnotexposedtoalcoholbeforebirth.FASDscanimpactachild’sphysical,mental,behavioral,orcognitivedevelopment.ThemostvisibleconditionalongthecontinuumofFASDs,fetalalcoholsyndrome(FAS),ischaracterizedbygrowthdeficiencies,centralnervoussystemdisabilities,andspecificfacialcharacteristics.,ThenumberofchildrenbornwithFASaloneiscomparabletospinabifidaorDownsyndrome.3Studiesshowthatupto1in20U.S.schoolchildrenmaybeontheFASDspectrum,aratethatiscomparabletoautism.Prenatalalcoholexposureisassociatedwithanincreasedriskofmiscarriage,stillbirth,prematurityandsuddeninfantdeathsyndrome(SIDS),aswellasarangeoflifelongphysical,behavioral,andintellectualdisabilities.

TopreventFASDs:makeaplanforahealthybaby--don’tdrinkanyalcoholifyouarepregnantorcouldbecomepregnant.Awomanoftendoesnotknowsheispregnantforupto4to6weeksafterconception.IntheUnitedStates,nearlyhalfofallpregnanciesareunplanned.Ifyoubecomepregnant,stopdrinkingalcohol.Everydaymatters.Becausebraingrowthtakesplacethroughoutpregnancy,thesoonerawomanstopsdrinkingthesaferitwillbeforherandherbaby.Pregnantwomenthatneedhelpinstoppingtheirdrinkingcantalktotheirdoctor,contactanaddictionspecialistorcontactarecoveryprogramsuchasAlcoholicsAnonymous(AA).Humanserviceorganizations,healthcareprofessionals,educators,andthepublicarecalledtoactiontoworktogethertoreducetheoccurrenceofFASDsbyincreasingawareness,becomingeducated,anddisseminatingthemessagethatwomenthatarepregnantormightbepregnantshouldabstainfromalcohol.

FormoreinformationonalcoholuseduringpregnancyandFASDs,visitwww.nofas.orgorwww.cdc.gov/fasd.


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INTRODUCTIONTOTHEPROCLAMATIONWhatisaproclamation?Aproclamationisanofficialformofrecognitionissuedbyastate’sGovernororotherelectedexecutivetocallattentiontoaspecificcauseorevent.Anyonemayrequestaproclamation,andwhendoingsoitisrecommendedthatyouprovidesamplelanguage.Afterreview,theexecutivemakesadecisionaboutwhethertoissueaproclamation.GovernorsandMayorsthroughouttheU.S.haveissuedproclamationsrecognizingFASDAwarenessDay.Morerecently,proclamationshavebeenissuedobservingFASDAwarenessMonth.HowtoGetaProclamationfromYourStateOfficial1,2Step1:ResearchtheProclamationProcessinYourStateorCommunity

• FindyourstateGovernor’scontactinformationontheInternetbysearchingfor“[yourstate]proclamations”or“Governorof[yourstate]”.

• Findouttheprocesstorequestaproclamationanddetermineyourtimeline.Manystateofficesneedatleasteightweekstoprocessaproclamation.

• Ifyouknowofothergroupsinyourstateinterestedinobtainingaproclamation,itmightbehelpfultoworktogether.Onlyoneproclamationperstatewillbeissued.

Step2:CreateYourDocumentsandContactYourPublicOfficials

• WriteacoverlettertotheGovernorexpressingyourdesiretohavetheproclamationissuedandincludesamplelanguagefortheproclamation.Youmayusetheproclamationtemplateincludedinthispacketoryoumaycreateyourown.Oncedrafted,submityourproclamation.Dependingontheprocessinyourstate,aproclamationmightbesubmittedthroughtheGovernor’swebsite,mailedviaUSPS,e-mailed,orhanddeliveredtoyourGovernor’soffice.

Step3:Follow-up

• Follow-upwithanemailoratelephonecalloneweekafteryousendtheoriginalrequest.• Offertomeetwiththestaffmemberorlegislativeaidewhoishandlingtherequestin-person

toansweranyquestionstheymayhave.• BesuretoaskthattheproclamationbeplacedontheGovernor’swebsite.Youcanalso

requestthattheproclamationbeplacedonyourstaterepresentatives’websiteaswell.• WriteathankyounotetotheGovernorandyourlocalrepresentatives.

PublicizeYourProclamation3

• Writeapressreleaseandsendittothemedia(e.g.localnewspapers,radiostations,andTVnewschannels).Youmayeditthepressreleaseincludedinthispackettoincorporateinformationonwhytheproclamationwasissuedandwhoissuedit.Youmayalsowanttoincludequotesfromthegovernmentofficialsigningtheproclamationinthepressrelease.

• Holdanewsconferenceorpubliceventwhentheproclamationissigned,invitingthemediatocoverthisevent.

• Sharetheproclamationwithlocalorganizations,governmentofficials,colleagues,andothersocialnetworksandrequestthattheydisplaytheproclamationontheirwebsites,socialmediaaccounts,orintheiroffices.


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INTRODUCTIONTOTHEPROCLAMATION–CONT.ResolutionsAresolutionissimilartoaproclamationinthatitcallsattentiontoacauseorevent.WhileproclamationsareissuesbyexecutiveofficerssuchasthePresident,Governors,orMayors,resolutionsarepassedbylegislativebodies.Youcanfollowthesamestepsforseekingaresolutionasyouwouldforrequestingaproclamation.Forresolutions,contactyourelectedstaterepresentativeandsendyourrequesttothatperson’sattention.Insomestates,legislaturesonlymeetforpartoftheyear,somakeyourrequestearlyinthecalendaryear._____________________________________________________________________________________1HowtoGetaProclamationfromyourGovernor-FirstCandle.(n.d.).FirstCandle.RetrievedJune16,2014,fromhttp://www.firstcandle.org/october-is-awareness-month/awareness-month-action-center/advocacy/now-to-get-a-proclamation-from-your-governor/2GetanOfficialProclamation.(n.d.).RSS.RetrievedJune16,2014,fromhttp://www.freetobreathe.org/get-involved/educate-your-community/get-an-official-proclamation3PublicizeYourProclamation.(n.d.).RSS.RetrievedJune16,2014,fromhttp://www.freetobreathe.org/get-involved/educate-your-community/publicize-your-proclamation


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SAMPLEPROCLAMATIONHumanserviceorganizations,healthcareprofessionals,educators,andthepublicarecalledtoactiontoworktogethertoreducetheoccurrenceoffetalalcoholspectrumdisorders(FASDs).Thiscanbedonebyincreasingawarenessandimprovingpublichealtheffortsinthedeliveryofthepreventivehealthmessagethatwomenwhoarepregnantorconsideringgettingpregnantshouldabstainfromdrinkingalcohol.Inadditiontothismessage,wemustincreaseawarenessonhowFASDsmaypresentinindividualsacrossthelifespanandtheongoingneedforservicesandsupportforindividualslivingwithFASDs.

Whereas, Fetalalcoholspectrumdisorders(FASD)isanumbrellatermdescribingtherangeofeffectsthatcanoccurinanindividualwhowasexposedtoalcoholbeforebirth;withfetalalcoholsyndrome(FAS)beingthemostrecognizableconditionalongthespectrum;and

Whereas, Prenatalalcoholexposureistheleadingpreventablecauseofbirthdefectsandintellectualanddevelopmentaldisabilities;and

Whereas, TheexactnumberofpeoplewhohaveFASDsisunknown,butitisestimatedthatupto

1in20U.S.schoolchildrenmayhaveanFASD,aratecomparabletoAutism,andabout40,000babiesarebornwitheffectsofprenatalalcoholexposureannually;and

Whereas, ThelifetimecostforoneindividualwithFAS(doesnotincludeotherFASDs)isestimated

tobe$2million,withacombinedcosttotheUnitedStatesforFASaloneover$4billionannually;and

Whereas, Amongpregnantwomen,1in10reportedanyalcoholuseand1in33reportedbinge

drinkinginthepast30days.;andWhereas, Abouthalfofallpregnanciesareunplanned,contributingtolateentryintoprenatalcare

andpresentingabarriertooptimalpregnancymanagement,particularlyduringthecrucialearlyweeksofembryonicdevelopment;and

Whereas, Thegoodhealthandwell-beingofthepeopleof(nameofyourstate)areenhancedby

thesupportofanationalefforttoeducateaboutandpreventFASDs;andWhereas, The(organization)andthe(organization)joinwiththe(partnerorganization)aswell

asmanydedicatedvolunteers,healthcareprofessionals,educators,andparentgroupsbyparticipatinginthispromotion.

NOW,THEREFORE,I,(Governor’sname),Governorofthestateof(nameofyourstate),doherebydeclareSeptember9,2017asFetalAlcoholSpectrumDisordersAwarenessDay[orSeptemberasFASDAwarenessMonth]andpledgetocontinuetopartnerwithorganizations,healthcareprofessionals,educators,andthepublictoraiseawarenessaboutourunifiedmessage:

“Pregnancyandalcoholdon’tmix.Whytaketherisk?”


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RESOURCESFORPREVENTINGFASDANDFORFAMILIESLIVINGWITHFASDsThefollowinglistofresourcesoffersastartingplaceforthoseseekinginformationandsupport.NationalOrganizationonFetalAlcoholSyndrome(NOFAS)Foundedin1990,NOFASisaninternationalnonprofitorganizationcommittedsolelytoFASDprimaryprevention,advocacy,andsupport.Theyhavecreatedmanyresourcesincludingresourcedirectories,aweeklylistserv,andtheCircleofHopeBirthMother’sNetwork.NationalandStateResourceDirectory-http://www.nofas.org/resource-directory/AlistofresourcesandsupportservicesforpeoplelivingwithFASDorganizedbystateAffiliateNetwork-http://www.nofas.org/affiliates-partners/AnetworkofFASDorganizationsfromallovertheUnitedStatesWeeklyRoundupListserv-http://www.nofas.org/weekly-roundup/SignuptoreceiveaweeklyemailnewsletterwiththelatestFASDnews,research,events,andmoreCircleofHopeBirthMothers’Network-http://www.nofas.org/circleofhope/Apeer-mentoringnetworkandsupportgroupforwomenwhousedalcoholorotherdrugswhilepregnantandmayhavechildrenaffectedbyFASD.ToolsforParentsandCaregivers-http://www.nofas.org/parents/AlistofpracticaltoolsandresourcesResourcesforAdultswithFASD-http://www.nofas.org/adults-living-with-fasd/AlistofmanyresourcesavailableforadultswithFASD,dividedintoseveralcategoriesEducationandFASD-http://www.nofas.org/education-and-fasd/Aresourcesforparents,teachers,andeducatorsaboutFASDandtheclassroomFASDandtheLaw-http://www.nofas.org/criminal-justice/AlegalresourceforpeoplewithFASDinthecriminaljusticesystemNationalInstituteonAlcoholAbuseandAlcoholism(NIAAA)NIAAAsupportsandconductsbiomedicalandbehavioralresearchonthecauses,consequences,treatment,andpreventionofalcoholismandalcohol-relatedproblems.Thissitehaspublicationsandinformationincludingthebrochures,DrinkingandYourPregnancyandAlcohol:AWomen’sHealthIssue,availableinbothEnglishandSpanish.http://www.niaaa.nih.gov


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CollaborativeInitiativeonFetalAlcoholSpectrumDisorders(CIFASD)ThepurposeofthisconsortiumistoinformanddevelopeffectiveinterventionsandtreatmentapproachesforFetalAlcoholSpectrumDisorders(FASD),throughmultidisciplinaryresearchinvolvingbasic,behavioralandclinicalinvestigatorsandprojects.Wehopetodevelopaninfrastructuretofostercollaborationandcoordinatebasic,clinicalandtranslationalresearchonFASD.http://cifasd.org/CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)workstopreventalcoholuseduringpregnancybyconductingresearchstudiesandimplementinganddisseminatingevidence-basedinterventions(e.g.,alcoholscreeningandbriefinterventionandCHOICES)forwomenatriskofanalcohol-exposedpregnancy.CDCalsosupportseducationandtrainingactivitiesforvariousaudiences.Forexample,CDCfundsFASDPracticeandImplementationCentersandnationalpartnerorganizationstoachievepracticeandsystems-levelchangebyimprovingtheknowledgeandskillsofhealthcareprofessionalsregardingtheprevention,identification,andmanagementofFASDs.

CDCFASDMainPagehttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/index.htmlFreeFASDMaterialshttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/freematerials.htmlAlcoholScreening&BriefInterventionhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/alcohol-screening.htmlCHOICESInterventionhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/research-preventing.htmlFASDPracticeandImplementationCentersandNationalPartnershttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/training.htmlAmericanAcademyofPediatrics(AAP)TheAmericanAcademyofPediatrics(AAP)FASDToolkitforpediatricprimarycareclinicianswasdevelopedtoserveastheframeworkforthemedicalhomemanagementforchildrenwithFASDs.Thetoolkitprovidestoolsandresourcesforprimarycareclinicianstoequipthemtobettermeetthespecialneedsofthesechildrenandfamilies.FASDToolkitforPediatricPrimaryCareClinicianswww.aap.org/fasdTheAmericanCollegeofObstetriciansandGynecologistsTheAmericanCollegeofObstetriciansandGynecologistshasdevelopedresourcesforwomen’shealthcareprovidersinidentifyingwomenwhodrinktoomuchandinprovidingbriefeducationalcounselingtoreduceoreliminatealcoholuse.Resourcesincludeacellphoneapp,downloadablepatientinformationsheets,currentnewsarticles,treatmentreferralinformation,andmore.FASDInformationalPagehttp://www.acog.org/alcoholhttp://www.womenandalcohol.org/


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MarchofDimesTheMarchofDimeshelpsexpectingmotherstotakechargeoftheirhealthandtohavefull-term,healthypregnancies.AlcoholUseDuringPregnancyhttp://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/alcohol-during-pregnancy.aspxFetalAlcoholSyndrome:Support,Training,Advocacy,andResources(FASSTAR)OfferstrainingonallaspectsofFASDs,includingcommunityawareness,prevention,andintervention.TheFASCommunityResourceCenter(FASCRC),supportedbyFASSTAR,includesinformationonthehistoryofFASDAwarenessDay.http://fasstar.com/http://www.come-over.to/FASCRC/FASLink:FetalAlcoholDisordersSociety–Research,Information,Support&Communicationshttp://www.acbr.com/fas/ToLocateAddictionTreatment:SAMHSASubstanceAbuseTreatmentFacilityLocatorhttp://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/


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CENTERSFORDISEASECONTROLANDPREVENTIONMATERIALSPartners:Helpusspreadtheword–Pregnancyandalcoholdon’tmix.Whytaketherisk?Freematerialsareavailabletohelpyoupromotealcohol-freepregnanciestowomeninyourcommunities.CDChasdevelopedmaterialsforwomenofchildbearingageonalcoholuseduringpregnancyandFASDsbasedonformativeresearchfindings.Thematerialstargetwomenwhoarepregnantandwomenwhoaretryingtogetpregnant.*

Thesetofmaterialsincludesprintproducts(abrochureandthreeposters)thatareavailabletoorderanddownloadable.Severalsocialmediatools,suchasbanners,badges,ande-cardsarealsoavailable.TolearnmoreaboutallofthetoolsavailablefromCDCthatcanbeusedincommunityefforts,andhowtoaccessthem,pleasevisit:http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/partners-tools.html*Forinformationandmaterialsonpreconceptionhealthforallwomenandmen,whetherornottheyplantohaveababyoneday,visitCDC’sPreconceptionHealthandHealthCarewebsite.