SAMHSA Toolkit Supports Native Communities in their Efforts to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

A toolkit to help Native communities protect their children from the harm caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy is now available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Resource Kit is designed to help mothers-to-be and their friends, relatives, health professionals, and leaders understand and prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. FASD describes the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.

Each year, at least 40,000 babies are born with an FASD in the United States, and Native communities have some of the highest rates. This new resource will support prevention and treatment efforts in American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.

The kit, which was developed and reviewed by representatives from Native communities and FASD experts, includes the following:
 

• Current data and statistics on FASD
• Fact sheets and brochures for women, men, youth and communities on how to prevent FASD and how to find help
• Strategies for FASD education and prevention
• Posters that can be copied and shared
• FASD-The Basics, a slide presentation for people with no prior knowledge of or experience with FASD
• A CD with an electronic version of the entire resource kit

The American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Resource Kit is available on the Web at ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17702. For more information about FASD, visit the FASD Native Initiative Web site.