Saturday, December 21, 2024
12/21/2024
Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading preventable cause of developmental disabilities and birth defects. It can result in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) an umbrella term for the range of physical mental and neurodevelopmental effects that can occur in an individual exposed to alcohol before birth. Alcohol use in pregnancy is a critical public health concern as 1 in 7 pregnant adults report alcohol use and 1 in 20 report binge drinking. Estimates are that as many as 1 in 20 school age children in the U.S. are affected by FASDs. FASD United a public health nonprofit organization and the national voice on FASDs is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and healthcare and non clinical professionals to implement National Partnerships to Address Prenatal Alcohol and Other Substance Use and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. The partnership develops and implements activities in multiple strategic domains that aim to reduce the use of alcohol and other substances during pregnancy and increase access to evidence based care and mental health services and improve the quality of life for pregnant persons using alcohol and other substances and for families living with FASDs. Key strategies include 1) a cohesive multidisciplinary champions network 2) the development and dissemination of messaging through national and regional systems using evidence based communications 3) the strengthening of state and local capacity to link clinical and public health partners to reach affected populations with programs and practices and 4) the integration of the living experiences of adolescents adults and families affected by alcohol and other substance use during pregnancy and FASDs to inform accurate and consistent messaging. Through the FASD Experience A Champions and Resource Center FASD United engages with individuals families and communities affected by alcohol and other harmful prenatal substance use and individuals with FASDs and coordinates efforts across and between all project components to share information and resources. FASD United maintains a national resource directory disseminates information through its 42 member Affiliate Network operates a Family Navigator to assist families in need of emotional support and medical behavioral health and non clinical services and guides the FASD Experience a speakers bureau of FASD self advocates and family members who give voice to the living experience. FASD United disseminates project information products and practices beyond the FASDs community to child welfare disability education juvenile and criminal justice addiction research and policy professionals and the public at large.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).