From Shore to Shore: Michigan FASD Task Force Success

1. From Shore to Shore: Michigan FASD Task Force Success Cheryl Lauber, MSN, DPA Michigan FASD State Coordinator Michigan Department of Community Health May 2008 BFSS Meeting

3. Vision • Coming together to address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders through • awareness • prevention • access to services

4. Mission • To advocate for statewide prevention and treatment • The Task Force brings together affected individuals, families and multidisciplinary professionals committed to increasing awareness of FASD and improving service delivery systems. • Decreasing these preventable disorders and enhancing quality of life for affected individuals and their families will lessen the social and economic impact of FASD in Michigan.

5. 5 Year Strategic Plan • Increase awareness of FASD and gain public and private support for decreasing the number of pregnant women who drink alcohol. • Expand and improve timely lifelong service access and delivery statewide to individuals who have FASD and their families.

6. 5 Year Strategic Plan • Increase identification and diagnosis of individuals who have FASD. • Improve the education system’s response to students who have FASD. • Determine and monitor the incidence and prevalence of FASD in Michigan.

7. 5 Year Strategic Plan • Improve the justice system’s response to individuals who have FASD. • Expand, increase the diversity of and strengthen the Task Force.

8. Task Force Development • Organization • Parent Co-chairs • Staffed by state-paid consultant • Action groups for each major goal meet regularly • Participation • State agency representatives • Advocacy groups • Parents • Meeting goals • Quarterly in Central location – Lansing • General session + breakout Action Teams • Communication • Email list • Online chat group

9. Awareness • Pre-screening tool • Training on its use across the state • Required to be used by prevention projects in local communities • Wide variety of trainings across the state • Head Start conference • Substance Abuse conference • Local special education offices

10. Wayne County Surveillance

11. Prevention • 9 Local community grants • CDC funding for field testing Project CHOICES in City of Detroit • SAMHSA funding for Parent–Child Assistance Program in substance abuse treatment programs in West Michigan

12. Access to Services • Continued state funding for 5 Diagnostic Centers • Multidisciplinary clinics • Follow Univ. of Washington diagnostic process • Working on increasing capacity through faculty/student multidisciplinary clinic arrangements

13. Under-diagnosis/ misdiagnosis of FASD and co-occurring disorders Lack of understanding by providers that FASD is a disability Lack of medical coverage Lack of services and treatment facilities Restrictions on eligibility for services, such as age or IQ Difficulty obtaining birth records and medical history in adoption Lack of financial resources for medical, mental, and respite care Lack of special education resources Little resources for child care when seeking substance abuse treatment Failure to recognize FASD variety of symptoms Ethnic and racial differences Parents in rural areas have geographic barrier Lack of transportation make appropriate treatment and care difficult, if not impossible. Lack of cohesive interaction among treatment systems Inadequate support for foster families or caregivers Specific Barriers to Services

14. Policy Direction • Dept. Human Services Foster Care/ Adoption • In 2005 foster care policy did not reference FASD or treatment. • There was no required evaluation for FASD prior to release for adoption.

15. Success • Memo issued from DHS in 2007 • FASD definition • Sources of FASD diagnosis at Diagnostic Centers • Results of a pre-screening for FAS must be included when requesting a pre-ten waiver for placement of children less than ten years of age in residential or institutional settings. • Recommended including FASD in all worker trainings

16. Policy Direction • Substance Abuse Services: • block grant funds support services for women, including pregnant women and women with dependent children. • specialized services are available for pregnant women and women with dependent children.

17. Success • Technical Advisory on FASD Treatment • FASD prevention should be a part of all substance abuse treatment programs that serve women. • Complete the FASD prescreen for children that they interact with during their mother’s treatment episode and refer for FASD diagnosis.

18. Policy Direction • Special Education: • Add a classification to the Michigan Rules for Special Education that includes programs for Neurologically Impaired children • Self‑contained classrooms in general education schools and allow the children to be mainstreamed as their abilities dictate • Teachers would receive training to help them understand how to meet the needs of neurologically challenged children

19. Success • In 2002 and 2003, SAMHSA convened 15 Town Hall meetings on FASD. A Town Hall meeting was convened in Michigan in August 2002. • 532 individuals testified including: • More than 200 parents/caregivers • 140 professionals • 30 individuals with FASD • 20 community leaders • 2006 MCFARES Family Needs Assessment

20. Policy Direction • Criminal Justice System • lack of awareness about FASD • offender reentry program to help inmates prepare for release

21. Success • Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative • Pilot project in Washtenaw County • May be broadened to include other counties

22. Parents Prioritize State Task Force Goals • Prevention • Training for professionals working with affected children • Recognition of FASD as a legitimate diagnosis • Financial assistance for families & adults with FASD • Screening for at-risk children • Housing options for adults with FASD • Social skills training programs

23. Thank you! • There are still many challenges ahead, but many collaborators are working toward more success.