Children's Fetal Alcohol Services
Region 2
Offices are located in Brooks and Medicine Hat

About Children's Fetal Alcohol Services

CFAS serves all communities within the Health Region 2 (Medicine Hat, Brooks, Oyen, Bow Island, Irvine and surrounding areas). Services are designed to meet the needs of families with children under 18 years, who have a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder diagnosis or for whom FASD is suspected. Referrals are accepted from agencies, professionals, the general public, and directly from the families themselves.

Vision

CFAS is committed to fostering awareness, promoting prevention, and providing support and advocacy services for families impacted by FASD.

Mission

CFAS strives to promote, develop, and encourage a supportive and accepting attitude toward individuals and families coping with FASD, while simultaneously raising public awareness about FASD to prevent its occurrence.

Consultation & Advocacy Services

Caregivers of children who have or are suspected of having FASD face a variety of challenges resulting from their child’s disability. The FASD Clinic Coordinator/Consultant can assist families by:

• providing information about the disability;
• assisting caregivers to identify appropriate interventions;
• helping families access available supports; and,
• advocating for the child or family when requested to do so.

All services provided by the Clinic Coordinator/Consultan are confidential, tailored to meet the needs of each family, and free of charge.

Regional Neurodevelopmental Clinic

Children's Fetal Alcohol Services facilitates Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinics in Medicine Hat and Brooks. Clinic is a multi-disciplinary body comprised of a team of community professionals. This team assesses, diagnoses, and develops intervention plans for children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. All children seeking assessment must see the diagnostic paediatrician to obtain a clinic referral.

The Clinic Coordinator/Consultant is available for consultation regarding clinic and the process involved in seeking assessment and diagnosis for a child.

Prevention & Training Services

FASD is a life long disability, thus CFAS recognizes that the best treatment is prevention. CFAS offers public awareness and prevention presentations that emphasize the importance of alcohol abstinence during pregnancy while addressing the disabilities associated with FASD and the challenges faced by families who cope with FASD. Regional audiences include students from all levels, including post-secondary, as well as various community agencies.
Additionally, CFAS offers professional training presentations to agencies and organizations throughout the region. These presentations focus on understanding the primary and secondary disabilities associated with FASD, as well as appropriate, effective interventions.
All presentations are available at no cost and can be arranged through the Regional FASD Programs Manager. In addition, professionals can access consultative services on a case by case basis through the Family Support Worker.

The FASD Program is funded by