Catalyst for Youth was the Fiscal Agent for the Santa Clara County Task Force to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

The Santa Clara County Task Force FASD project, funded by a March of Dimes grant, had four primary objectives:

1. Increase awareness of the devastating effects of alcohol use during pregnancy in both mainstream and Hispanic communities—universal prevention

2. Increase prenatal care provider awareness of:

   a. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

   b. Addiction in pregnancy

3. Increase awareness among employees in the criminal justice systems that interact with women who are pregnant and are in the courts of Santa Clara County.

4. Increase awareness and knowledge of FASD as it impacts at-risk and pregnant/parenting
   women in substance abuse treatment in both English and Spanish materials to prevent further harm to the fetus, or discourage further pregnancies until they achieve sobriety.

5. Target audience:  Santa Clara County teens and women of childbearing age (primarily ages 12–to 30 years), who use (a nd those who are at risk to use) alcohol and other drugs, and the professionals in the medical and criminal court systems in Santa Clara County. The March of Dimes grant allows us to reach out to the Hispanic community with culturally specific information.

Number to be reached:  At least 600 women received materials and 150 medical providers and 150 criminal justice providers were shown and/or receive videos, brochures, and curriculum through training small groups  sessions and individual case management presentation.

Objectives:           

1. Wrote a brochure for at-risk teens and women in Spanish.
2. Produced a video and brochure for criminal justice will be produced.
3. Wrote a  curriculum for the medical community and Criminal Justice Department.
4. Inform at least 600 at-risk women about FASD in English and Spanish.
5. Raised awareness in at least 150 members of the Criminal Justice Department of FASD as evidenced by sign-in/registration sheets.
6. Raised awareness in at least 150 medical providers, primarily physicians, nurse practioners, and nurses of FASD as evidenced by sign-in/registration sheets.

Impact:

1. Increased number of medical practitioners are now aware of the 100% preventable cause of mental retardation (FASD) and a significant number will begin informing their patients.

2. Many physicians now understand the importance of communicating and educating their patients about FASD

3. Medical practitioners have materials to train their staffs and materials to give their patients

4. Increased awareness in Santa Clara County community targeting the criminal justice system of the harmful effects of alcohol and other drug use during pregnancy.

5. Materials translated into Spanish allow a large segment of our Santa Clara Hispanic population to be aware of FASD. 

The March of Dimes grant funds three different projects: 

• Development and translation of materials to prevent FASD for Medical doctors

• Increased awareness for personnel in the Criminal Justice Department

• Outreach to Hispanic women that addresses the potential health risks to women and teens who use alcohol during pregnancy

Video production and replication to further the understanding of FASD in the following systems:

• Medical community
• Criminal Justice

Who is The Santa Clara County Fetal Alcohol Task Force?

The SCC FASD task force was created in 2002 for the specific purpose of collaborating with individuals and agencies in the county to combat this growing problem that affects individuals, systems of care, and our state budget.  This collaboration has led to influencing state agencies which are now coming together to create a comprehensive state plan for FASD.  For instance, the SCC FASD task force has played a major role in bringing together people to implement a legislative briefing on FASD in Sacrament on August 17, 2004.  Working members of The SCC FASD task force include: Santa Clara County Department of Public Health, Maternal Child and Adolescent Health; Catholic Charities, Friends Outside, VIA Rehabilitation Services, Santa Clara Health & Hospital System, Department of Alcohol & Drug Services, Emergency Housing Consortium, and ARH, House on the Hill,  a non-profit women’s residential treatment facility. We have begun to establish working relationships with doctors in our county by utilizing knowledgeable “lead” doctors who have more credibility with other doctors.  A series is being planned for Santa Clara County that wil be presented by doctors on our board teaching other doctors. The March of Dimes grant allowed us to continue the momentum established during 2004.  Today much of our material has been integrated into existing programs in the above departments and agencies.  Additionally we are working closely with the California and Santa Clara County American Medical Association Alliance to help us in bringing more information to our local medical providers.

Contact Information

For further information and questions please contact Marilyn Waite at:

marilyn@catalystforyouth.org or FASD@aol.com

© Copyright 2013 Catalyst for Youth, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non-profit public charity and educational organization. All rights reserved.