Florida’s Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Interagency Action Journey

1. Florida’s Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Interagency Action Journey Felisha Dickey, M.S.W., M.P.A. Florida Department of Health (850) 245-4465 Felisha_Dickey@doh.state.fl.us

2. The impetus: • Family Constituent Requests • Department of Health (DOH), Office of Infant, Maternal, and Reproductive Health and Department of Children; and Families (DCF), Substance Abuse Program Office and Family Safety Offices Discuss • Stakeholder meeting held

3. Florida’s FASD Interagency Action Group is born • What we do – programs • What the data tells us – state and national • What we currently have - resources • What we need – gaps/barriers

4. State Strategic Plan Developed • Prevention • Diagnosis • Intervention • Life Support/Extended Services

5. Prevention Strategies • Establish a FASD Networking and Resource Center • Increase Awareness and Education • Professionals • Teens • Pregnant Women

6. Identification and Assessment Strategies • Assess current education level of FASD diagnosis among health professionals, educators, and human service professionals • Increase FASD Diagnosis Educational Initiatives • Move toward a more active Birth Defects Registry • Increase information dissemination to health care professionals

7. Intervention Strategies • Increase number of professionals qualified to provide intervention services • Improve quality of treatment services available • Increase access to treatment services

8. Life Support/Extended Services Strategies • Train professionals how to identify and assess FASD in young adults • Conduct literature review on effective intervention strategies for adults • Advocate for specific inclusion of FASD in eligibility criteria for Vocation Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities, etc. • Identify existing support services for young adults and older adults

9. Statewide Town Hall Meeting • Held on July 24, 2002 in Clearwater Beach, Florida • One of six regional meetings held to gather information on the current state of the field of FAS • State agency representation • Family member and agency testimony received

10. Florida FASD Resource Guide • Developed in May 2003- funded by DCF • Disseminated widely • Florida Obstetricians and Gynecologists • Other health care providers, social workers, families, and community partners • Listed on FASD Centers Recommended Resource list • Listed on IAG (Interagency Action Group) member websites

11. Statewide FAS Conference • Held in June 2003 • Lead by Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association • Included Multiple Sponsors • Featured National Speakers • Targeted multiple disciplines and families • Addressed Prevention, Diagnosis, Medical Management, and Interventions

12. Other early actions • Occurred during 2004 • Educational Presentations • CDC funding received by DOH • DOE Educator’s FASD Resource Guide • Governor’s Drug Summit Presentation

13. Community Level Efforts • In 2004, The Florida Center for Child and Family Development interdisciplinary team received training on FASD four Digit Diagnostic Code • Community Budget Issue Request (CBIR) to develop Florida’s first statewide FASD Diagnostic & Intervention Clinic in Sarasota

14. Current funded activities • Florida Center, Sarasota: • Diagnostic and intervention services • Statewide regional training • One day conference • Information dissemination • Child Guidance Center, Jacksonville: • Diagnostic and intervention services

15. Ongoing Efforts in Florida • FASD Interagency Task Force Meetings • Continues to be an unfunded effort • Collaboration and pooling of resources is key • FASD Diagnostic and Intervention Clinic • Regional Trainings • Annual one-day educational conference • Establish a Network and Resource Center for families of children with FASD (funding pending)

16. Take Home Message • Start with Stakeholders • Take Inventory • Pool Resources • Develop a Plan • By all means, keep moving forward

17. Thank You