FASD Center for Excellence

Special Reports

Policy and legislation can be used to change the environment in ways that support healthy behaviors and services to treat disabling conditions. For example, some States require pregnant women to receive priority in assigning alcohol treatment slots. Many States now require fetal alcohol syndrome warning signs in places where alcohol is sold, in addition to the warning labels required by Federal law. Various issues are related to policy, such as cost issues. Knowing how expensive FASD is to treat may lead policymakers to pay more attention to FASD prevention. The information here covers several policy-related issues and will be updated as new laws are passed.

Identifying Promising FASD Practices: Review and Assessment Report
The purpose of this report is to describe the methods used by SAMHSA’s FASD Center for Excellence to identify and develop an inventory of FASD prevention and treatment interventions and to assess them in accordance with key criteria from SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). This report presents the findings of that work, and discusses the implications for SAMHSA and those providing FASD prevention and treatment services across the country. The report concludes with lessons learned and recommendations for SAMHSA.
Promising Practices in the Prevention and Treatment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (poster)
The "Promising Practices" poster, developed by the FASD Center for Excellence in collaboration with Suzanne Bowler, PhD, Kimberly Hiner, MPH, CHES, and Gayl Anglin, PhD, is a companion piece to the Promising Practices Report. The poster summarizes the purpose and methodology of the study, along with key findings and recommendations.
FASD Legislation by State (December 2007)
This report updates the SAMHSA FASD Center’s June 2006 report on legislation related to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). It includes legislation introduced or passed as of December 2007.
Review of Instructional Materials on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
This report identifies, describes, and reviews current curricula and other educational materials that relate directly or indirectly to FASD.
Starting the Conversation: Town Hall Meetings on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
In 2002 and 2003, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) convened 15 Town Hall meetings on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). This report summarizes the testimony at the meetings. It also offers suggestions for future actions based on the findings.
Innovative Service Delivery Strategies for FASD: Recreational and Educational Summer Programs
This report describes the origins of summer programs for persons with special needs, special needs camps as a promising practice, and details of programs currently available in Michigan and Washington. It also discusses whether family camps for persons and families affected by FASD can be considered a promising practice. Finally, the report includes an agenda, which may help individuals and organizations interested in planning similar programs.
Hope for Women in Recovery Summits
- 2005 Hope for Women in Recovery Summit Proceedings
  Through its summits for women in recovery, the FASD Center for Excellence raises awareness of FASD among women in treatment. The summits provide a safe, supportive place to learn about FASD and to explore various issues related to parenting children with an FASD. The third summit was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, in July 2005.
- 2004 Hope for Women in Recovery Summit Proceedings
  Through its summits for women in recovery, the FASD Center for Excellence raises awareness of FASD among women in treatment. The summits provide a safe, supportive place to learn about FASD and to explore various issues related to parenting children with an FASD. The Center sponsored a summit in Phoenix in 2004, which was attended primarily by Native American women and incorporated Native culture.
- 2003 Hope for Women in Recovery Summit Proceedings
  Through its summits for women in recovery, the FASD Center for Excellence raises awareness of FASD among women in treatment. The summits provide a safe, supportive place to learn about FASD and to explore various issues related to parenting children with an FASD. The FASD Center held the first-ever summit in Baltimore in 2003. The summits were coordinated by the FASD Center and the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS).
Building FASD State Systems Meetings
- 2006 Building FASD State Systems Proceedings
  FASD State Coordinators, staff from public health agencies, and family members came together to advance the goal of building State capacity to address FASD.
- 2005 Building FASD State Systems Proceedings
  State representatives met to set goals for their States and to brainstorm on the components of an ideal comprehensive system of care for FASD prevention and treatment.
- 2004 Building FASD State Systems Proceedings
  State representatives met to share progress in addressing FASD and to develop plans for the future.
- 2003 Building FASD State Systems Proceedings
  This, the first ever BFSS meeting, provided an unprecedented opportunity to network and share experiences in addressing FASD.
2005 Town Hall Report
This Town Hall meeting was convened in Raleigh, NC to learn more about the issues and concerns of individuals with FASD, caregivers and families, professionals, and other interested individuals. At these meetings, a panel of representatives from the Federal Government, the FASD Center for Excellence, and State and regional public agencies received testimony.
2004 Town Hall Report
This report covers the Town Hall meeting that was convened in Phoenix, AZ. Town Hall meetings are convened for the purpose of learning more about the issues and concerns of individuals with FASD, caregivers and families, professionals, and other interested individuals.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Indian Country Site Visit: Final Report Executive Summary
As part of its outreach efforts in Indian Country, the SAMHSA Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Center for Excellence sponsored site visits in 2002. Two consultants interviewed representatives from 10 tribal groups and 5 health centers in July, August, and September. The sites included 10 reservations and 5 urban Indian Community Health Centers. The data collected from these site visits were collected and form the basis for this report.
Signage and Alcohol Warning Laws
In an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy, 19 States and the District of Columbia have enacted laws requiring warnings at the point of sale, including bars and restaurants. Studies show that the signs raise awareness and may reduce alcohol consumption among light to moderate drinkers.
The Financial Impact of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
This article describes the challenges in estimating the cost of fetal alcohol syndrome and provides an overview of studies that have attempted to document these costs.