Canada’s National Approach to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

1. Canada’s National Approach to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Jocelynn L. Cook, Ph.D. FASD Team, Health Canada

2. Government of Canada (GoC)Investment To Date 2001 Speech from The Throne Budget First Nations On-reserve $10 M 2002/3 $15 M On-going • 2002 • Speech from • The Throne • Commitment to • Provide Aboriginal • Communities with • the tools to address • FAS and its effects 1996 Joint Statement Health Canada, Cdn Ped. Society + 17 Orgs. /NGOs 1999 Budget $11 M Over 3 yr $5 M on-going 2000 F/PT ECD Agreement $2.2 B to P/Ts (FAS a priority for some)

3. How we Came to Be…….. • Born from 1999 budget • Part of Canada’s Prenatal Nutrition Program • National Advisory Committee was formed by the Minister • Work closely with First Nations and Inuit Health Branch

4. Speech from the Throne 2002 • Commitment:provide Aboriginal communities with tools to address FASD • Building on linkages and partnerships already in place • Low cost initiatives – for example, disseminate tools • Work with partners to explore new possibilities • Homelessness Secretariat, Justice, Solicitor General • Federal Regions, NGOs

5. Ethel Blondin-Andrew Secretary of State for Children & Youth Health MinisterAnne McLellan Mapping Health Canada’s FASD Initiative Health Canada National Advisory Committee on FAS/FAE PPHB FNIHB HECSB General On-reserve Labeling & Population & & Inuit FAS Treatment Surveillance Steering Committee Regional Children’s Programs Other Federal Departments (IWG sub-committee on FASD) Provincial & Territorial Governments (F/P/T Table on FASD)

6. Key Activities Underway • What is happening now? • Community Capacity-Building • Strategic Project Fund • Public Awareness and Education • Awareness campaign (limited to date) • Professional Awareness and Education • Health Professional Survey • Training • Diagnosis • Surveillance and Epidemiology • Maternal experiences survey, NLSCY. • Coordination and Collaboration • Communities, experts, governments

7. Who Does What? • National Advisory Committee • Provides advice and recommendations for program and policy development • National Capital Region (Ottawa) • Co-ordinates, facilitates, and funds projects that are pan-Canadian in nature • Responsible for National level strategies • Acts as support for the regions • Regional Offices (10 Provinces/3 Territories) • Co-ordinates, facilitates, and funds projects within their province • Act as a liaison with provincial government colleagues • Co-ordinates/sponsors provincial conferences and workshops

8. Building Relationships between National Office and Regional Offices • Regional leads invited to meetings of the National Advisory Committee • Quarterly teleconference calls between National Office and Regions for updates and information-sharing • Teleconference calls or face-to-face meetings for planning or programs and policies • Both offices work together for events

9. Ethel Blondin-Andrew Secretary of State for Children & Youth Health MinisterAnne McLellan Mapping Health Canada’s FASD Initiative Health Canada National Advisory Committee on FAS/FAE PPHB FNIHB HECSB General On-reserve Labeling & Population & & Inuit FAS Treatment Surveillance Steering Committee Regional Children’s Programs Other Federal Departments (IWG sub-committee on FASD) Provincial & Territorial Governments (F/P/T Table on FASD)

10. National Advisory Committee (NAC) on FASD • Ministerial committee comprised of National Experts on FASD • Physicians, Psychologists, Researchers, Members from the community, Families • Provides advice/recommendations to the Minister • Acts as a forum to develop recommendations to effect an integrated, coordinated and sustainable Canadian response to FASD • Provides strategic advice and expertise to Health Canada on FASD-related issues • Supports the effective and efficient implementation of the FASD Initiative

11. National Advisory Committee • Reporting • Annual Report 2000/2001sent to the Minister • Links to First Nations and Inuit FASD Steering Committee • Liaison representative - role to be re-affirmed • Expert panel on FASD in First Nations and Inuit communities • Strategic planning for next steps

12. National Framework for Action • Aiming toward a National vision: “to develop a broad based collaborative effort to prevent FASD and improve the quality of life of people and families affected across Canada” • Common goals and objectives • Consultations have been held in each province by individuals from National Office and Regions • National forum planned to develop a National Plan of Action

13. Collaboration with the U.S. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) • The U.S. FAS Centre of Excellence • Both working with Health Canada on joint screening and diagnosis • Canada and U.S. taking similar courses of action: • Expert advisory committees • Concerned with national guidelines for screening and diagnosis • National government policy and program development • Interest in collaboration

14. Lessons to be Learned • Seek advice from experts in the community, researchers, all relevant stakeholders • Foster COMMUNICATION and COORDINATION between all levels • Agree on guiding principles for working together • Develop common goals and objectives • Be sure that roles and responsibilities of provincial leads and staff at National Office are clearly outlined to prevent overlap and to foster team-work • Work together to develop policies and programs