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More cash to identify fetal alcohol disorder

Victims, parents applaud new programs, support

By: Kevin Rollason

Posted: 09/10/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Jessica Siddle is 20 and has lived with the effects from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder her whole life.

Siddle said that's why she doesn't want any other child to be born with FASD.

"I have graduated from high school, but it has been hard for me to accomplish what I have," she said.

"FASD is totally preventable. The only cause of it is alcohol. Although I have a great life it has been a struggle for me."

Now, the province is joining Siddle to help tackle FASD.

Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh announced on Wednesday the provincial government will spend more than $1.6 million to increase its ability to diagnose children with FASD and provide them with services.

Noting it was International FASD Day, Mackintosh said half the funding would be to rename and expand the former Clinic for Alcohol and Drug Exposed Children into the Manitoba FASD Centre. It is being located in a section of the building that houses the Rehabilitation Centre for Children on Wellington Avenue.

"Manitoba is a leader in providing the appropriate initiatives with FASD," he said. "We have learned diagnosis is very important.... It can make all the difference in supporting someone in the community."

Mackintosh said it is estimated that nine out of 1,000 children born have FASD. "It is not a small number ---- just one is too many."

The funding will allow the province to set up satellite diagnostic sites with the first six being set up this year in the Brandon, Burntwood, Interlake, Norman, North Eastman and South Eastman Regional Health Authorities.

Other FASD initiatives announced include:

"ö $342,000 to create a Saturday day camp in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson and Little Grand Rapids for children aged three to 12 with FASD. The 72 children, who will be able to go one Saturday per month for 12 months, will receive social and problem-solving skills.

"ö $16,000 to help adults with FASD speak publicly to help educate the public.

"ö $24,000 to organize a day-long gathering for aboriginal elders in The Pas to give information and resources on FASD prevention.

"ö $67,000 to produce and distribute FASD resource packages for social workers and alternative caregivers.

"ö $80,000 to create a pilot project in Winnipeg to counsel women who are not yet pregnant.

The provincial government is also opening three new Stop FASD prevention programs in Portage la Prairie, Flin Flon and Dauphin this fall.

Jocelyn Bjorklund said two of her four children have FASD. "Had we, and other parents, received support from multi-disciplinary teams and assessment... our children would have been supported more effectively."

Drew Lockhart, chief executive officer of the Norman RHA, said he's pleased the program includes a satellite centre in The Pas. "Nearly half of all children with FASD come from rural and northern Manitoba," he said.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 10, 2009 A6

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