Advanced Interventions to Support Individuals with FASD

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is pervasive in our communities with many children, youth and adults using services provided by children’s mental health organizations, child welfare, developmental services and youth justice. This highly interactive training is developed for those who have previous knowledge of FASD. Together, we will review a strength-based framework, address areas for intervention and dissect case studies. Participants will leave with more confidence in supporting those with FASD by addressing how interventions need to consider FASD as a socially rooted disability with intergenerational impacts and multiple layers of stigma. 

The unique complexities of FASD presents itself in everyone’s professional practice. This highly interactive training will address how FASD is not limited to any racial, ethnic, cultural, or geographic group. It is a complex and multifaceted disability and affects people differently. (RFCY, 2022). Remembering that FASD is a socially rooted disability with intergenerational impacts and multiple layers of stigma allows us to better support those with FASD and their families. (CanFASD, 2022).

After reviewing the complexities of FASD we will learn how to best support individuals with FASD by reviewing areas for intervention and dissecting case studies. Addressing FASD from this strengths-based perspective addresses the brain-based nature of the disability and is important for creating healthy outcomes for individuals and their families.

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognize the barriers to identification and support for individuals with FASD including trauma, racism and health inequities.
2. Learn about key domains (physical and mental health, healthy relationships, community engagement/ belonging and education/employment) for intervention and dig deeper into strategies through case studies.
3. Build on the concept of interdependence and explore how adaptive skills inform the level of support across domains.
4. Understand how service providers and systems need to shift their approach to be inclusive of those with FASD.

Who Should Attend 

This course is recommended for those that work in children’s mental health organizations, child welfare, developmental services and youth justice. Service providers in the healthcare setting will also benefit from this training. In particular, this information will be helpful for direct service professionals (i.e. CYW, Social Work, Therapists, Case Managers, MH Counsellors, etc.). 

Course Dates & Format 

January 28 & 29, 2025

1:00pm – 4:00pm ET

This is a 6-hour training. This course consists of two 3-hour interactive virtual sessions using Zoom.

Instructor:  

Karen Huber, BA, CYC

Karen has been walking alongside children, youth, and families in children’s mental health and developmental supports for 30 years. For the past 16 years she has been working to build supports and understanding for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Besides supporting individuals and families living with the disability, her experience includes; coordinating the Waterloo Region FASD Diagnostic Clinic, creating an Integrated Approach for FASD for her community, advising MCCSS and Health Nexus provincial initiatives, membership on FASD ONE Diagnostic Working Group and sits with many community groups to ensure the FASD voice is heard. She is the FASD Coordinator at Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre in Waterloo Region. She also provides support to communities, groups, and families through private practice.

Training Fee

Member Fee: $195.00 + $25.35 (HST) = $220.35

Non-Member Fee:  $235.00 + $30.55 (HST) = $265.55

Group Registration: Save 20% off individual fee with group registration of 4 or more participants. Download the group registration form HERE.

Continuing Education Information 

Licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credits for attendance at their discretion when participants submit the course outline and certificate. 

In-Service 

This is available as an in-person or virtual in-service training and customized to suit your needs.

To Register 

Register for January 28 & 29, 2025 here https://www.safeguards-training.net/course/advanced-interventions-to-support-individuals-with-fasd/