A wonderful program has been made available for parents/caregivers that are responsible for family members with mental health issues.  A FREE 12 week parenting course begins at multiple locations throughout the state in March.  Over 300,000 family members have participated in this national program.   Most felt that the course helped with learning positive coping skills, necessary for coping with  severe mental illness.

Get more information about this Free family Education Program in New Jersey by clicking this link.

Please share this information about low cost internet service with clients and friends. Click here for more information on Comcast’s program.

The NOFAS Weekly Roundup features news articles, research, event announcements,
new materials and other highlights from around the world of FASD. The Roundup
also includes the latest news from NOFAS and a link to the Calendar of Events
page on the NOFAS website.

NOFAS

FASD Story – CJ talks about her birth mother

Watch the Video

FASD Story: CJ, a young woman with FASD from Canada, shares her story with NOFAS
at the International Conference on FASD in Vancouver.  CJ talks about her birth
mother and tells a moving story of transitioning from anger to understanding
after seeing a birth mother’s panel discussion.

NOFAS Hosts Press Conference on FASD and the Criminal Justice System

On November 17, NOFAS hosted a press conference entitled FASD and the Criminal
Justice System at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Featured panelists
and speakers included: Dr. Edward Riley, Billy Edwards, J.D., Dr. Stephen
Greenspan, Dr. Fred Bookstein, Dr. George Woods, Hon. Tony Wartnik, Dr. Rich
Adler, Kay Kelly, Karen Thiel, Ph.D., J.D., Kate Boyce, J.D., Kathy Mitchell,
M.H.S. and Karli Schrider.  Video excerpts of the press conference will be
available in the coming weeks on the NOFAS YouTube page, AlcoholFreePregnancy.

Circle of Hope/Birth Mother’s Network Holiday Newsletter <http://nofas.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0c4e3277b83599d7092769953&id=be4297b6fe&e=ad44716d8a>

A warm update from the Circle of Hope/Birth Mother’s Network!

Karli and the Star of the Week Now Available in German!

NOFAS’ beloved children’s book, Karli and the Star of the Week has recently been
translated in to German by the organization, FASD Deutschland.  Paper copies
will be available from FASD Deutschland in early 2012.

Call for Artwork for the 2011 NOFAS Holiday Card!
NOFAS is seeking individuals with FASD who are interested in illustrating the
2011 NOFAS holiday card.  Please submit festive, holiday-themed drawings on
non-lined 8 ½ x 11 inch white paper.  All artwork must be drawn with markers,
signed by the artist and include a holiday message, (example: Happy Holidays,
Seasons Greetings, etc).  Please send your artwork to NOFAS at the address below
in a large envelope, and DO NOT fold drawings. Folded and damaged artwork will
not be able to be considered.  Or, you can create a full-color, high resolution
image by scanning your illustration and emailing it to montgomery@nofas.org
<mailto:montgomery@nofas.org> .

Please submit all drawings by Wednesday, November 30th to:
Brianna Montgomery
NOFAS
1200 Eton Court, NW
Third Floor
Washington, DC 20007

Join NOFAS for the 2011 Metropolitan Washington FASD Parent Support Group
Holiday Brunch!
You are invited to the Metropolitan Washington FASD Parent Support Group Holiday
Brunch, Saturday, December 3rd from 10:30 a.m. to Noon at Uncle Julio’s Rio
Grande Cafe in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  Please RSVP to Brianna Montgomery at
montgomery@nofas.org <mailto:montgomery@nofas.org>  or 202-785-4585 ext. 102 by
Monday, November 28 if you wish to attend.  Please join us for this special
gathering and meet other families living with FASD!

FEATURES

Pregnancy and alcohol don’t mix

Jean Richmond Bowman offers a word of caution to women of childbearing age:
drink responsibly over the holidays and abstain from alcohol completely if you
are pregnant.
Article, Arizona Daily Sun, November 20, 2011

FASD awareness dance held at Friendship Centre

The Portage Friendship Centre of Canada recently hosted a dance to raise
awareness of FASD.
Article, The Daily Graphic, November 20, 2011

Chris Beach’s New Novel Tackles Problems in Foster Care System

Author Chris Beach of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada recently released “Indian Joe
Blow: Pishikii-Kigeet-Black Eagle Thunderbird Man”, a story of a young man with
FAS that falls through the cracks of the foster care system.
Article, PR Web, November 19, 2011

Developmentally disabled man brutally beaten in Burien

A 21-year-old man with FASD was severely beaten on his way home from work on
November 17.  Individuals with FASD and other developmental disabilities are
often the victims of crime.
Article, The Seattle Times, November 18, 2011

Pregnant mums warned over drinking

Dr. Shonag Mackenzie of Northumbria Healthcare Trust of the United Kingdom warns
of the danger in light consumption messaging for pregnant women.
Article, Sunderland Echo, November 17, 2011

Pregnant smoking, drinking dangers snubbed

The Australian Institute of Family Studies recently found that 38% of women
continue to drink alcohol during their pregnancies despite strong warnings from
the Australian government.
Article, The West Australian, November 15, 2011

Feds fund study to determine cost of fetal alcohol disorders

The Conservative government of Canada will conduct a study to determine the
comprehensive economic impacts of FASD.  Understanding these costs is essential
for addressing FASD in Canada and across the world.
Article, iPolitics (Canada), November 14, 2011

The Coalition for Healthy Communities in Middlesex County is holding its second annual “Shop ‘Til You Drop” event on November 20^th from 11am to 5pm.

Your support of this event will help support the Coalition’s mission to strengthen
the community and reduce substance abuse among youth in Middlesex County.

Click this link for more information about this community event by The Coalition for Healthy Communities

The  Essex Pregnancy and Parenting Connection (EPPC) links expecting families and families with a child up to 3 months with voluntary home visiting. EPPC works with the three home visitation programs in Essex County. Collaborate with community agencies and prenatal care providers to refer families to home visitation services.

Find out more information about The Essex Pregnancy and Parenting Connection by clicking this link.

The ARC of New Jersey has published the August/September issue of Prevention Counts.

In this issue, you will find:

* International FAS Day is September 9 (09/09) for 9 months alcohol free. If you see our ads in your local papers let us know.
* Upcoming Research on FASD
* August is Immunization Awareness Month: Are You Up-to-Date?
* US Department of Agriculture has launched a newly revised campaign for better nutrition.
* Lastly, but really important, you will have an opportunity to update your information in our records.

By all means, pass this newsletter as a resource to your clients, coworkers, family members, and friends.  We want to continue the STRONG statewide effort of prevention in New Jersey and your participation is vital!

Read this exciting Prevention Counts issue NOW.

NOFAS Weekly Roundup – Volume 2, Issue 31

The NOFAS Weekly Roundup features news articles, research, event
announcements, new materials and other highlights from around the world
of FASD. The Roundup also includes the latest news from NOFAS and a link
to the Calendar of Events page on the NOFAS website.

FEATURES

NOFAS Hosts Luncheon with Senator Jack Reed

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) joined NOFAS recently to discuss FASD
legislation and other congressional activities.

Rusty Walking Eagle Receives the Dr. Erin Frey Advocacy Award

Rusty Walking Eagle, a substance abuse counselor from Virginia, gives an
emotional speech after being presented with the first Dr. Erin Frey
Advocacy Award at the 2011 NOFAS Leadership Awards Benefit. The award is
given in memory of former NOFAS Program Director, Dr. Erin Frey.  Kathy
Mitchell presents the award, along with members of the award selection
committee.

Complete a Survey of NOFAS/CDC Materials and Win a $50 Target Gift Card!

If you have received NOFAS or CDC FASD materials, please complete the
survey above and let us know how you put them in to practice.

Join the Friends of NOFAS Network!

The Friends of NOFAS is a network of individuals who support our mission
to prevent alcohol-related birth defects and support children and adults
living with FASD. As a member, you will receive discounts on NOFAS
materials and events and a special gift just for signing up!  Join today
for a tax-deductible donation of only $25.00!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOFAS Profile: Paul Joles of Orchids FASD Services Wisconsin
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSPft98La94&feature=youtu.be&hd=1>

Paul Joles, Director of new NOFAS Affiliate, Orchids FASD Services,
Inc., discusses his inspiration for starting the organization with other
parents of children with FASD.  He also discusses his creative
fundraising techniques, including holding a square dance and raising
money through gumball machine sales.

NOFAS Profile: Judy Struck of NOFAS South Dakota
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi3sMN23HDo&feature=youtu.be&hd=1>

Judy Struck of NOFAS South Dakota discusses how she first got involved
in the FASD field and talks about her organization’s support of a
diagnostic clinic and parent education class.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS