6th Edition Network News - Central Alberta FASD Network

Central Alberta
FASD Network News
V o l u m e
6 ,
i s s u e
6
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE
Diagnosis +
Assessment Update
2
Christmas Mocktail 3
Recipes
Triage Training in
Wetaskiwin
4
Flying With Broken 5
Wings
“Through the FASD 5
Lens” Training
Starfish Award
Nominees
6
Starfish Award
Winners 2012
7
International FASD 8
Awareness Day
PCAP Graduation
Ceremony
9
Central Alberta
FASD Network
Updates
10
Service Contact
Information
1112
Whatever is Beautiful….
Whatever is Meaningful….
Whatever brings you Happiness…..
May it be yours this Holiday Season and
Throughout the year.
Page 2

FASD Websites
 Lakeland Centre for FASD
Northern Alberta site with
links to information from
across Canada and around
the world.
www.lakelandfas.com
 The FASD Center of
Excellence is a project of
the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services
 www.fascenter.samhsa.gov/
gg/index.cfm
The
Canadian FASD Training
Online Database” found at
www.ccsa.ca
 The FASD Support Network
of Saskatchewan Inc.
www.skfasdnetwork.ca—
Download FASD Tips for
Parents and Caregivers
 Justice Website:
www.fasdjustice.on.ca
 FASLink maintains an
extensive website of more
than 100,000 FASD
documents in a searchable
database.
 www.faslink.org
Diagnosis & Assessment Update
From the desk of Trina Kennedy…………...
As Christmas approaches I find myself reflecting upon the last year at
the Central Alberta FASD Clinic. What a year it has been! To date we
have assessed 40 individuals since starting in January of 2011. Our
clinic continues to evolve with regard to our practice and assessments.
We as well have a clinical team that I consider to be one of the best in
the province (although one might say I am a bit biased.)
I am proud also to announce that the FASD Network was successful in
our proposal to expand clinic services to the Prairie Central Network
area which covers Ponoka, Wetaskiwin, Camrose, Lloydminster,
Vegreville down to Provost and across to Drayton Valley. The clinic will
assess individuals 18 years and over. The referral and assessment
process will be the same as the Central Alberta Clinic so if anyone
would like to refer someone for an assessment from the Prairie Central
area please contact Trina at 403-309-5648.
I would like to also take this opportunity to thank all of the service
providers that the clinic works with to ensure there is good continuing
support for individuals once they have completed the assessment. It
truly takes a whole village and I feel privileged to be able to work with
so many passionate, dedicated professionals.
 FASD CMC Alberta
 Information about the FASD
Network initiative and
access to the FASD
Learning Series online.
 www.fasd-cmc.alberta.ca/
fasd-service-networks
 Several publications on
FASD are available at the
Red Deer Regional
Library + at the Dawe.
Central Alberta
The Central Alberta FASD Clinic Team
wishes all of you a Very Merry Christmas and
we look forward to working with you in 2013!
Volume
6,
issue
6
Page 3
CHRISTMAS MOCKTAIL RECIPES
After searching across all the lands, we proudly present the following exquisite mocktail
recipes. But wait - what are mocktails? Like for mothers-to-be, straightedge, Mormons,
small children, hostesses who want all their guests to enjoy delightful drinks and anyone
who wants to drink all night and be ready to go happily to work/school the next day! And
let’s not forget the tough new drink & driving laws—BE SAFE, NOT SORRY!!! Mocktails,
like, mock cocktails!
Safe Sex on the Beach
Glass: Highball
Mocktail ingredients
1 large (50ml) shot of peach juice
3 large shots of pineapple juice
3 large shots of orange juice
juice of half a lime
dash of coconut milk
How to make this mocktail recipe: Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Stir and strain into
an ice-filled highball glass. Garnish with a lime wedge, strawberry and orange twis t
Hot Not Toddy
Glass: Irish coffee glass
Mocktail ingredients
7 oz hot tea
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp lemon juice
grated cinnamon
ground cloves
grated nutmeg
lemon wedge for garnish
How to make this mocktail recipe: Pour the honey, lemon and spices into the glass. Top with hot, brewed tea.
Stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Simple Sangria
1.5 litres grape juice
1 litre lemonade or soda
1/2 pineapple (cut bite sized)
1 orange sliced
1 tray ice cubes
How to make this mocktail recipe: Combine all liquids in pitcher, add fruit and
ice cubes. Serve.
ENJOY!!
Page 4
New Clinical Examiner Team Trained in Respectful Interviewing Skills
of Biological Mothers—Wetaskiwin Nov. 19 & 20, 2012
Back Row Left: Tiffany Pye, CSS Vanessa Buckskin, Sik Sika, Shelley Johnson, Samson Healthy
Families; Carmella Cutknife, Samson Healthy Families; Sherri Di Lallo, Wetaskiwin Hospital; Brenda Hogan,
COSMOS; Wendy Layne, CSS; Treena Lajeunesse, CSS. Front Row Left: Holly Taylor, CSS; Joyce
Ochaka, CSS; Suzanne Aylward, RD Catholic Schools; Caroline Lightning, Samson Healthy Families;
Annette Cutknife, Samson Healthy Families. Front: Liz Lawryk
Participants received certification as Clinical Examiners to use the Triage Instrument and
Tool developed by Liz Lawryk, Founder of the Organic Brain Dysfunction Institute. The tool
is used to interview biological mothers about their pregnancy. It is used both to ascertain
whether or not alcohol was used in a pregnancy and as a prevention tool, educating women
about healthy pregnancy. Trainees spent 2 days learning about the approximate 240 possible anomalies that can occur due to prenatal exposure to alcohol. Many believe that FASD
is solely an organic brain injury but learn with this training that exposure to alcohol can affect virtually every developing system in pregnancy. The Central Alberta FASD Clinic and
the Prairie Central FASD Clinic both utilize this tool in the initial stages of information gathering when an individual is referred for FASD assessment and diagnosis. For more information on training available from the OBD Institute please go to: www.obdtriage.com .
Central Alberta
FASD
Network
Page 5
“FLYING WITH BROKEN WINGS”
Flying With Broken Wings is a group for people with FASD, and those who work
with or care for us. Share….vent….express yourself….ask questions….give
opinions….this is for anything we feel we need to share.
Please respect everyone and their opinions and feelings.
Disrespect and ANY inappropriate or hurtful behavior WILL NOT Be Tolerated.
It’s a roller coaster people…..get bugs in your teeth and ENJOY THE RIDE!
Connect on Facebook by entering the following in the subject line:
FASD (a)”Flying With Broken Wings”
I n s id e
t h i s
i s s ue :
TO BE OFFERED AGAIN FEBRUARY 27 & 28, 2013—CALL 403 309-5650
Training
Diagnosis
+
Assessment Update
Provided
2
to Look at Individuals “Through the FASD Lens”
Staff representing several community services took part in training that was offered through the
3
International
FASD FASD
Central Alberta
Network over a 2 day period to identify characteristics common to individuals
Awareness Day
with a FASD. Those present included police officers, probation and parole personnel, mental health
personnel etc. All are in positions where they routinely interview individuals, and often are left
scratching their heads because of the inconsistencies individuals present
during their interview process.
An overview of FASD as a full body disorder was presented on the first day
assisting individuals to understand the physical anomalies that can occur
with the disability that they might recognise with the naked eye. The 2nd
day of training was assisting individuals to “query” inconsistencies of communication, behaviors, physical presentation, memory, ability to give historical information , chronological age vs. actual age etc. The “cluster of
queries”, can indicate that an individual may have an undiagnosed medical condition, such as FASD
or other cognitive impairment. Individuals with significant indicators can then be referred for assessCentral Alberta
mentSociety
and diagnosis.
FASD
UpThis training was offered as a response to the need for non-clinicians to be able to better understand
how FASD presents so that they are confident in making a referral for further assessment. Many
checklists and screens have been created but these are not generally reliable. Asking in a checklist
for “obstetrical or pregnancy information” of the biological mother can create many liability issues.
Asking an individual for information whom is suspected to have a FASD is usually not satisfactory
given the disabilities characteristics of poor memory and ability to recount history.
For more information about receiving this training, call the Central Alberta FASD Network. This
training will be of interest to professionals including lawyers, judges, probation, parole, policing,
medical staff and
inl ball
Limited class size call: 403 309-5650
C e n those
tral A
e rhuman
t a F A services
S D N e t wfields.
ork
News
Volume
6,
issue
6
Page 6
International FASD Awareness Day 2012
Central Alberta FASD Network Event Held at the HUB on Ross
September 10, 2012
Approximately 80 people attended the HUB on Ross to bring awareness to FASD acknowledging International FASD Awareness Day. Honorable guests included Mayor Morris Flewwelling who traditionally reads the Proclamation on behalf of the City of Red Deer; Mary Anne
Jablonski, Red Deer North MLA, bringing a message from the Province of Alberta; Ron Crosbie, Chair for the Community PDD Board, who spoke passionately about supporting those
with FASD.
A panel of three individuals spoke of how FASD has challenged their lives. The panel speakers were Blair Charters, Richelle Mooney and Louanne Rice. All spoke of the importance of
support in their lives, the challenges they have faced and their positive outlooks on life, despite difficulties.
There was a long list of individuals nominated for the Starfish Award. They were nominated
because each and everyone of them regularly go “above and beyond” in supporting individuals with a FASD and creating greater awareness of the disability in the community.
The following is a list of those nominated who received a certificate of recognition.

Rena Parsons (nee Quartly) FASD Support staff from Catholic Social Services

Shauna May—FASD Support staff from Catholic Social Services

Sabrina Ford (nee Chartrand) Support staff from Catholic Social Services

Stephanie Okell from Safe Harbour Society

Blair Charters—Motivational speaker who lives with FASD

Terri + Tim Grills—Foster Parents
Nick from M + M Foods graciously cooked burgers for all who attended and passers by as
well after the event concluded. THANKS M + M!!! So much appreciated!
The HUB on Ross staff Twyla Lapointe was a great host once again! Thanks Twyla!!!
Together WE CAN Make a Difference!!
Annual Central AB STARFISH Award Recipients 2012
Terri, Jessica and Tim Grills
The 2012 Recipients of the Starfish Award
Terri and Tim Grills and their daughter Jessica, recipients of the Starfish Blanket created by Patrick
Hunter. The Grills have been fostering children in Red Deer for over 10 years. Many children who have
lived with the Grills have been prenatally exposed to alcohol, some with very complex medical and behavioral challenges. They have extensive knowledge, understanding and skill when supporting a child who
has a FASD and they do so with commitment, love and humor for every single child in their care whether
fostered, adopted or biological. Terri also trains foster parents on FASD, is involved in delivering the 31
Core Competency Courses required of all foster parents by the Province of Alberta, and is currently enrolled at Lethbridge College working on a FASD Certificate as a way to enhance her skills and knowledge.
Terri has sought out the knowledge and information on FASD through courses, workshops and conferences. She has become a significant resource in Red Deer and Central Alberta as she shares her experience and knowledge with others. She also co-facilitates the Orientation for Caregivers required of individuals and couples who are applying to become foster parents, kinship parents or adoptive parents. The
Grills commitment to love every child in their care as well as their ongoing advocacy for children with a
FASD have made significant differences in the lives for individuals and the field of FASD. More FASD
Day page 8………………………………….
Volume
6,
issue
6
Page 8
PROCLAMATION
International FASD Awareness
Day September 9, 2012
WHEREAS: children are our most important resource and it is our
responsibility to care for, nurture and protect them; and
WHEREAS: statistics indicate that individuals with Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome Disorder in Canada and industrial nations throughout the
world, face the risk of mental retardation or learning disabilities,
early school drop-out, homelessness, addictiveness, trouble with the
law and mental illness; and
Mayor Morris Flewwelling giving the 2012 FASD
Proclamation for the City of Red Deer
WHEREAS: to reduce the incidence of FASD, it is essential that women in pregnancy are provided with support and
information; and
WHEREAS: parents, professionals, individuals living with FASD and other people around the world will observe the
second International FASD Awareness Day on Sept. 9, 2012, with a Minute of Reflection at 9:09 a.m.
NOW THEREFORE: I, Morris Flewwelling, Mayor of the City of Red Deer, on behalf of Red Deer City Council and
the people of our great city, do hereby proclaim September 9, 2012 as "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day@ in
the City of Red Deer. I encourage everyone to act with compassion
and understanding towards those individuals whose lives were affected
by alcohol before they were born.
Mary Anne Jablonski Red Deer North MLA—
Guest Speaker on behalf of the Government of Alberta
Blair Charters, Guest speaker and Starfish
Award Nominee
Page 9
PCAP Graduation Ceremony November 5, 2012
Top: Mentors: - Vera Genge, Nathalie Bernier, Ellen Cuthand; Middle: Grads - Linda Murrell,
Jillian Bradshaw, Jo-ann Amond, Joannie Smith, PCAP Supervisor: Janet Annable;
Bottom: Grads—Norma Gustafson, Valerie Morris
The Black Knight Inn was the venue for a special Graduation Ceremony honouring six of
eleven graduates of the McMan PCAP, On Track Program. This class represented the
very first Red Deer On Track Graduates of the three year self development program.
These graduates were successful in the completion of a number of goals set for themselves during the course of three years. All of these young women battled
extreme
personal challenges such as drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, family
violence, custody battles and unemployment . Throughout their three year journey they
were supported by their On Track Mentors. At the ceremony, each of the Graduates
were given a memory box, a bouquet of flowers, and a special note of encouragement
from their Mentors. It was a lovely evening enjoyed by the Graduates, their guests,
McMan Mentors, Management and Board Members as well as Betty Lou Benson, who
represented the funder, Central Alberta FASD Network Society.
WAY TO GO GALS!!!!!!!
Page 10
Central Alberta FASD Network Society
Updates…...
Be kind
whenever
possible.
It is always
possible.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, and
Coordinators, Merry Christmas! We are
excited to announce that Dave Wielinga
has decided to join us. Dave is a wonderful compliment to the board bringing
a depth of knowledge on FASD and a
clear understanding of the challenges
that family members cope with. He is
soon to retire from Bowden Institution
where he has been a Program Manager.
We are equally saddened that Debbie
Oostindie has resigned due to conflicting work commitments. The current
Dalai Lama
Board of Directors is:
Joanne Marcotte: Chair
Donna Bishop—Vice Chair
Alyse Hogan—Secretary
Lynn Gillis—Member at Large
Jackie Norman—Member at Large
Dagmar Hargreaves—Member at Large
Dave Wielinga—Member at Large
Early in November, Network staff and
the chair of our board attended meetings in Edmonton with Cross Ministry
Committee and other Human Service
Ministry staff. We felt encouraged by
Brenda Lee Doyle, Assistant Deputy Minister, who spoke of the direction the
ministry is taking with FASD being a priority. She expressed that delegates
from local government departments will
be looking for opportunities to become
involved in all Alberta communities. We
look forward to engaging with many
more staff from the respective Human
Services departments early in the New
Year. She recognises that FASD is a disability that leaves no system untouched
and that collaboration on many levels is
necessary. We look forward to a positive, productive 2013!
JOIN US FOR THE QUARTERLY COMMUNITY PARTNERS
MEETING SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 22 FROM 1-3 PM AT
THE CATZ TRAINING ROOM!
Success has
a different
meaning for
every person
Central Alberta
The Central Alberta FASD Network invites both funded and non-funded community
partners who support individuals suspected or diagnosed with FASD to join together
every 3 months to network and discuss the following three questions:

What services do you currently provide?

What services or support do your clients need or will they need that are
currently not available?

What services or supports are you currently offering that are meeting outcomes
for your clients? (what should we be doing more of?)
The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that all human service agencies have the
opportunity to keep the Network informed of the gaps that need to be filled in order
for the people we support to be successful members of our community. This is also
an opportunity to meet those who are providing supports from our community and
region. CALL Betty Lou at 403 309-5650 for more information.
FASD
Network
Volume
6,
issue
6
Page 11
FASD SERVICES AVAILABLE IN
CENTRAL ALBERTA
PREVENTION—TARGETED
prevention for those most at-risk of giving birth to a child with FASD.
“On Track” Parent Child Assistance Program
The Goals:

To help mothers build and maintain healthy, independent family lives

To assure that children are in safe and stable homes

To prevent future births of
There is no “Safe”
amount of alcohol use
during Pregnancy.
alcohol and drug exposed children.
The Approach:

Trained and supervised Parent Advocates provide home visitation and intervention for 3 years.
Parent Advocates Assist in:

Setting goals

Obtaining alcohol/drug treatment

Solving housing, domestic violence, child custody problems

Resolving system service barriers and more…….
FASD ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS for Ages 15—through Adulthood

Assessment-Diagnostic services include medical, cognitive, behaviour, communication, adaptive functioning assessments completed by a “multidisciplinary team” that meets the Canadian Clinical Guidelines for diagnosis. Referrals
require the history of prenatal alcohol exposure.

If you are interested in requesting an assessment for yourself or on someone’s behalf, contact the Diagnostic Coordinator. All the options will be explored and necessary paperwork can begin. In order for the FASD Network to cover the
costs of an assessment, certain criteria needs to be met.
Supports and Services for Individuals, Families and Caregivers

Ongoing FASD skill building FASD knowledge and informational opportunities for agencies and their staff.

OUTREACH workers in the region provide the following:

Advocacy

Community links to service

Family and individual support for children and adults impacted by FASD

Basic life and community living skills

Information

Services for adults denied PDD support due to I.Q.

Assistance in developing strategies that will be successful in the home and other environments such as school or the
workplace

Strategies to reduce secondary disabilities such as trouble with the law,
health problems, inappropriate sexual behavior etc.

Disruptive school experience

Referral for FASD Assessment and Diagnosis
alcohol and drug problems,
mental
FASD Education Morning—Do You Want To Learn More About FASD?
The FASD Network and Catholic Social Services
JOIN US! 9:30 am—NOON on the LAST Tuesday of Every Month!
Where: Catholic Social Services 5104—48 Avenue, Red Deer
Call: Shauna at 403 347-8844 or Betty Lou at 403 309-5650
All are Welcome!!
January 29
FASD 101:
Diagnosis and
Support of FASD
February 26 Unique Needs of
Students with
FASD
March 26
April 30
Cognitive Interventions
for Individuals with
FASD
May 28
Teacher and Parent
Relationships
Diagnosis of FASD June 25
in the Adolescent
Years
Winning the Battle with
FASD: A Family
Success Story!
Central Alber ta FASD SERVICE CONTACT NUMBERS
O n Tra ck Pa ren t C h i l d A s si s ta n c e
P ro gra m
J a n e t: 4 0 3 3 4 0 - 0 5 7 9
C e n tra l A l be r ta FA S D C l i n i c
Tri n a : 4 0 3 3 0 9 - 5 6 4 8
FA S D O u tre a ch — Re d D e e r + A re a
FA S D O u tre a ch — O l d s - S u n d re + A re a
FA S D O u tre a ch — Ro cky Mo u n t a i n
H o u se + A re a
FA S D O u tre a ch - D ru m h e l l e r, H a n n a ,
Th re e H i l l s, 3 C ’s
D a r i l yn : 4 0 3 34 7 - 8 8 4 4
Mel: 403 556-7877
: 403 845-6306
L o ri : 4 0 3 8 5 4 - 5 8 5 2
Reg i o n a l N e t wo rk
C o o rdi n ato r
Betty Lou Benson
403 309-5650