Dan Dubovsky, MSW will be facilitating a four part virtual training series tackling a number of topics related to FASD. Each session is standalone and you can attend one session or all sessions.

This presentation series provides a bries overview of where we are in our understanding of FASD and how it impacts various systems, along with how to modify our methods to address issues for those with FASD and their families. For those who complete the series, there will be an opportunity for online consultation of specific issues and situations.

• Session #1 – Monday September 21, 2020 – 9am-12pm EDT

This session will cover how FASD impacts treatment, education, caregiving and other social systems

• Session #2 – Monday September 28, 2020 – 9am-12pm EDT

This session will cover Implementing a positive focused system of care

• Session #3 – Monday October 5, 2020 – 9am-12pm EDT

This session will cover modifying Motivational Interviewing to improve outcomes

• Session #4 – Monday October 26, 2020 – 9am-12pm EDT

This will be an interactive coaching session that will cover what you have tried, what worked and what more you need to know

A day for everyone living, working and learning to understand those living with FASD. This workshop has multiple key note speakers and breakout groups throughout the day.

Register Now!

FASD Connection Peel Support Group Meeting with Myles Himmelreich.

The cost is free, however, registration through Meera Sidhu at msidhu@erinoakkids.ca is required (please include your email and phone number).

Eligibility: Must be a parent or caregiver residing in the Region of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon).

**NOTE: This is not open to service providers, frontline workers or teachers.

The Fetal Alcohol Resource Program at ABLE2 (formerly Citizen Advocacy Ottawa) is hosting a two webinars (one English and one French) focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Topics include:

• FASD 101
• Red flags that can indicate FASD in someone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed
• Basics of FASD diagnosis • Common strengths and how to build on them
• Common challenges and strategies for support
• FASD across the lifespan
• How to access FASD resources in your community

Who should attend:

• Educators
• Front line workers
• Professionals
• Caregivers
• Friends and family of people with FASD
• Everyone

We all have a role to play in supporting people with FASD.

No charge for residents of Ottawa, Prescott Russell and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services via CHEO. Fee for participants from other areas: $25.

In This Webinar You Will Learn…

• What FASD is and how it impacts the brain
• How to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of challenging behaviours
• Information about overlapping diagnosis and how this informs systems, and
• How to develop individualized person-centered accommodations that lead to success

Sign up now for this 6 Part Webinars

Tuesdays September 15 – October 20 10-12pm (EST)

or

Thursdays October 22 – November 26 1-3pm (EST)

Click here to view the flyer.

For more information contact: fascetscanadaeast@gmail.com

The term developmental disabilities (DD) refers to people with intellectual disability, autism spectrum, fetal alcohol spectrum and related neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes. Children, youth, and adults with DD are vulnerable to high rates of general health and mental health concerns. This interactive 2020 conference will focus on practical strategies to optimize the quality of life for people with DD. Our goal is to help clinicians and caregivers learn effective ways to work with people with DD, and their families, in partnership to improve their quality of life experience. The conference will also provide educational and informative psychiatric, behavioural, mental health, and complex physical health updates specific to people with DD, and showcase best practices in the field. This conference will engage health care providers and educators from a wide range of professional disciplines in knowledge transfer and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Learning Objectives:

Review evidence based clinical best practices in physical, mental health and education for people with DD
Explore new research in physical, mental health and education for individuals with DD
Identify core issues and challenges facing individuals with DD and their families
Consider ways to build partnerships to maximize health and wellbeing
Develop connections, share knowledge and common experiences with others involved in the field of DD

Contact Information

If you have any questions about this conference, please contact Kathryn at 604.822.7708 or email marketing.ipce@ubc.ca

Registration

Online registration is now open.

Brochure

Click here to see the brochure for the event.

FASD Connection Peel Support Group Meeting with Nate Sheets.

The cost is free, however, registration through Meera Sidhu at msidhu@erinoakkids.ca is required (please include your email and phone number).

Eligibility: Must be a parent or caregiver residing in the Region of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon).

**NOTE: This is not open to service providers, frontline workers or teachers.

A research project evaluating a virtual Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) series for caregivers of individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

ACT seeks to help individuals to struggle less with difficult things in their lives and mindfully connect with things that are most important in a way that is loving and respectful. With an introduction to the concept of mindfulness, ACT does not attempt to directly change or stop unwanted thoughts or feelings, but to develop a new mindful relationship with those experiences that can free a person up to being open, and to take action consistent with what they care about. This is a research project evaluating the benefits of ACT for caregivers.

About the Virtual Series
The virtual ACT intervention is spread over 4 consecutive Wednesday evenings followed by a refresher evening session, held 4 weeks later.

About the Facilitators
One facilitator is a parent of a child with FASD and the other facilitators are health care professionals.

Who Should Attend?
Primary caregivers of individuals with FASD.

Dates & Times
Wednesday October 28th, November 4th, November 11th, November 18th & December 16th: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Virtually via WebEx
*You must attend all dates

Want more information?
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=QP1HFpw_3aY&feature=emb_logo
Articles: http://rdcu.be/I6jT & https://bit.ly/2tSUbcZ

Interested?
Contact: ACT.Research@camh.ca or 416-535-8501 ext. 33813

FASD Connection Peel Support Group Meeting with Dr. Susan Rich.

The cost is free, however, registration through Meera Sidhu at msidhu@erinoakkids.ca is required (please include your email and phone number).

Eligibility: Must be a parent or caregiver residing in the Region of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon).

**NOTE: This is not open to service providers, frontline workers or teachers.

The FASD Symposium is Eastern Canada’s largest annual gathering of everyone connected to the FASD support network. The theme for this one-day interactive, bilingual, and educational event is ‘Managing Challenging Behaviours in Children, Youth and Adults with FASD’.

NEW – The Symposium is now 100% virtual and will include a variety of on-demand and live content in both English and French that delegates can enjoy from the comfort of home or office, including:

• Keynote Presentations
• Poster Presentations
• Workshops
• Live Chats
• Virtual Yoga
• Panel Presentations

Check out the preliminary speaker line-up and the updated registration information.

The Early Bird rate is $95 CAD and is in effect until Friday, November 27, 2020.

More info can be found on Able2’s website!

FASD Connection Peel Support Group Meeting with David Boulding.

The cost is free, however, registration through Meera Sidhu at msidhu@erinoakkids.ca is required (please include your email and phone number).

Eligibility: Must be a parent or caregiver residing in the Region of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon).

**NOTE: This is not open to service providers, frontline workers or teachers.

FASD Connection Peel Support Group Meeting with Brenda Knight.

The cost is free, however, registration through Meera Sidhu at msidhu@erinoakkids.ca is required (please include your email and phone number).

Eligibility: Must be a parent or caregiver residing in the Region of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon).

**NOTE: This is not open to service providers, frontline workers or teachers.

The Fetal Alcohol Resource Program at ABLE2 (formerly Citizen Advocacy Ottawa) is hosting a two webinars (one English and one French) focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Topics include:

• FASD 101
• Red flags that can indicate FASD in someone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed
• Basics of FASD diagnosis • Common strengths and how to build on them
• Common challenges and strategies for support
• FASD across the lifespan
• How to access FASD resources in your community

Who should attend:

• Educators
• Front line workers
• Professionals
• Caregivers
• Friends and family of people with FASD
• Everyone

We all have a role to play in supporting people with FASD.

No charge for residents of Ottawa, Prescott Russell and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services via CHEO. Fee for participants from other areas: $25.

Dufferin Wellington FASD – FASD Learning Series For Caregivers and Professionals supporting someone with diagnosed or suspected FASD

Objectives of this session:

• Learn how prenatal alcohol exposure affects the development of the brain and body.
• Understand how FASD impacts behaviour and functioning.
• Identify what is needed to support individuals with FASD.

Presented by: Tara Leskey, FASD Coordinator

Virtual Zoom Meeting: October 6, 2020 at 6:30pm-8:30pm

Register early as spots are limited.

The Lakeland Centre for FASD is hosting an amazing conference on FASD and the Justice System: Finding Solutions. The conference will be a blend of sessions on the research, real programs and outcomes, and some exploration of preventing justice involvement for this population. Keynote speakers will include researchers Mansfield Mela and Glen Luther as well as author/lawyer, Harold Johnson.

This conference is using a very unique platform called pheedloop which allows for several sessions to be occurring at one time, just like a live conference; and will feature exhibition booths where you can chat with many organizations and programs.

This will be a really cool and informative day.

FASD Connection Peel Support Group Meeting with Kim Barthel.

The cost is free, however, registration through Meera Sidhu at msidhu@erinoakkids.ca is required (please include your email and phone number).

Eligibility: Must be a parent or caregiver residing in the Region of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon).

**NOTE: This is not open to service providers, frontline workers or teachers.

FASD Connection Peel Support Group Meeting with Eileen Devine.

The cost is free, however, registration through Meera Sidhu at msidhu@erinoakkids.ca is required (please include your email and phone number).

Eligibility: Must be a parent or caregiver residing in the Region of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon).

**NOTE: This is not open to service providers, frontline workers or teachers.

In this panel discussion, you will hear family & caregivers discuss their experience of parenting a child/adult with FASD. They will share the joys and challenges of supporting their child’s unique needs. Conversations will address a variety of subjects including diagnosis, support networks, advocacy, clinical services, community programs, respite, and government benefits that can assist in caring for a person with FASD.

Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and their caregivers, report high levels of stress, yet are often excluded from typical mental health and support services. This has been recognized by the Ontario Government’s FASD provincial initiatives of which investment in Family/Caregiver Support Group Project is one priority. In response to this, we have worked with the FASD community to support the development and delivery of support group activities aimed to enhance their overall wellbeing. For this presentation, we will discuss the importance of FASD-informed facilitation, working with parents/caregivers in all aspects of planning, community collaboration and capacity building, mitigating risk, continuous quality improvement, and reducing barriers to service.

We will highlight an initiative that , involved scientists and researchers from Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the University Health Network working together with Health Nexus and advisors. This group co-delivered a brief caregiver Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) intervention to caregivers of individuals with FASD. The overall goal of this intervention was to improve the mental health and wellbeing of female caregivers of people with FASD. We will discuss our experiences of working alongside caregiver advisors to tailor and deliver an intervention to ensure its relevancy to caregivers of individuals with FASD. We will also discuss the impact of ACT on the stress and wellbeing of caregivers of individuals with FASD, in addition to demonstrating ACT exercises with audience members.

Register now!

Join us to view the 30 minute Picture This documentary (information below) along with a live discussion panel with the photo voice participants.

In 2007, five women participated in a photo voice project entitled, “Picture This: Life as a Parent of Children with FASD”.  The women used cameras and engaged in group discussion to describe their experiences of parenting children with FASD through pictures and narratives.  The project was transformed into a photo exhibit, podcast and DVD film production.  The film takes real emotions formerly described by intellect or words and turns them into powerful symbols and metaphors.  Participation in the project had a lasting impact on each mother and their relationships with one another.  With support from FASDONE the film was recently translated into Oji-Cree.  On September 16, 2020 we will present the translated video and bring together some of the mothers, as well as the translator, to talk about their experiences.

This event is hosted in partnership with FASDONE Network and the Ontario Network of CAPC/CPNP project

In this panel discussion, you will hear firsthand accounts from individuals living with FASD. Conversations will include subjects like motherhood, education, employment, and the impact of the diagnosis. Learn from these women’s personal stories, unique strengths, and hear how these individuals are each living with resilience.

FASD Awareness Walk – An Uplifting, Fun, and Informative Walk to Celebrate People with FASD

Join Able2 for a 0.9 km walk in downtown Ottawa in support of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The 4th edition of this event coincides with International FASD Awareness Day that is observed all over the world on September 9th (the 9th day of the 9th month) to represent 9 months of pregnancy.

Over 100 people, including families and friends of people with FASD, medical practitioners, caregivers, local FASD program partners and media will gather on September 12th to spread the word about FASD, debunk common myths, highlight local support programs and resources, and bring hope for early diagnosis and intervention.

FASD affects +/– 1.5 M Canadians – There is no safe amount and no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. We all have a role to play!