NC FASD Informed

04/03/2026

Get information and other valuable information by signing up for newsletter at Exceptional Children's Assistance Center - ECAC

Free Webinar: Transition to Adulthood

Thursday, April 16th

5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

This workshop will help parents and students to prepare for the future. Beginning at age 14, students and schools must begin the journey in planning for life after high school. Learn how to write an Individualized Transition Plan (ITP) and how to include your child in this important process. This workshop will include information and strategies for students preparing to work after high school and students going on to college or other educational settings.

Presented by: Triahnna Miles, ECAC Parent Educator

04/02/2026

🧠 FASCETS Neurobehavioral Approach Workshop



📅 What & When:

15-hour In-Depth Workshop on the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Approach

Wednesday's, May 21st - June 18th, 2026 from 10:30 - 1:30 Pacific/ 1:30 - 4:30 Eastern



👥 Who Should Attend:

Parents • Educators • Clinicians • Caregivers or Anyone supporting individuals with brain-based differences, including FASD, ADHD, Autism, Dementia, etc.



💡 Why It Matters:

Learn how brain function shapes behavior

Start viewing behaviors through a brain-based lens

Practice using tools that improve outcomes

Experience a transformative paradigm shift



🌟 What You’ll Gain:

✅ Practical strategies & tools you can use immediately ✅ Deeper understanding of neurodiversity ✅ A supportive framework for lasting change



🔗 Spots Are Limited—Sign Up Today!

03/31/2026

03/31/2026

03/29/2026

“FASD is an origin story. It is not who we are. It does not have to be — nor should it be — our destination.”

Everyone has a beginning, but for people with FASD that beginning is often misunderstood, full of blame, shame, and questions. This powerful article from CJ Lutke, who lives with FASD, reminds us that while origin stories can shape us, they don’t define our endpoint. ❤️

👉Read more ➤ https://buff.ly/7epoAP3

💬 Let’s talk about narratives, healing, and rewriting what it means to live fully with FASD. Share your thoughts, your story, or simply pass this on to raise awareness.

03/27/2026

Exciting new opportunity to improve care for children with developmental complexity or adverse life experiences! Our colleagues at the University of Rochester team are
recruiting mental health providers and trainees across the US for a new study.
Who: mental health therapists and trainees who treat children ages 3-12 and their families. Ideal for therapists who want an introduction to the effects of prenatal exposures.
What: brief, accessible trainings and easy-to-use tools and app-based resources to use with families
By When: trainings scheduled to begin mid 2026
Incentives: free CEUs for psychology, social work, and counseling. $50 gift cards for
completing research surveys.
Ways to learn more:
 Check out the attached infographic.
 Watch a brief video or sign up for the study at: https://providers.fmfconnect.com/
 Join an Introductory Webinar and get 1 free hour of CEU. Sign up at:
https://redcap.link/fpvtqtxu
 Email: [email protected]
Already have a strong background in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?
Want to offer more advanced care to families?
 Reach out to the Families Moving Forward (FMF) Program to learn more:
https://familiesmovingforwardprogram.org/
Please share this information with your practice and community partners!
Families Moving Forward Program – FASD Intervention, Training & Research
familiesmovingforwardprogram.org
Families Moving Forward Program – FASD Intervention, Training & Research
Families Moving Forward Foundations Families Moving Forward (FMF) Foundations is an evidence-based intervention to help families raising children who are affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, with or without a diagnosis in the category of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) Learn More About The...

Families Moving Forward Foundations Families Moving Forward (FMF) Foundations is an evidence-based intervention to help families raising children who are affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, with or without a diagnosis in the category of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) Learn More About The...

03/24/2026

In their article in the Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology, Gilbert and colleagues examine the occurrence of confabulation in youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

03/23/2026

From Proof Alliance NC

Recent research is pointing to a concerning trend: alcohol use among women is increasing across all age groups, including those who may become pregnant. National data sources, such as the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and multiple studies published in leading journals like JAMA, show rising rates of both overall alcohol consumption and binge drinking among women.

Particularly notable is the increase in binge drinking among young adults and college-aged women, as well as steady growth in alcohol use among middle-aged and older women. Researchers have also identified a rise in high-risk drinking behaviors, which can have significant health implications.

Several factors may be contributing to these trends. Studies suggest that targeted alcohol marketing toward women—especially during and following the COVID-19 pandemic—has played a role, alongside increased stress, social isolation, and shifting cultural norms around alcohol use.

These patterns are especially important to consider in the context of pregnancy. Alcohol use during pregnancy can impact fetal development and lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and learning challenges.

As alcohol consumption trends continue to shift, it is critical that we raise awareness, share accurate information, and support prevention efforts. By staying informed and having open, supportive conversations, we can help reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancies and promote healthier outcomes for families and communities.

This spring and summer, Proof Alliance NC will be providing presentations across the state focused on these emerging trends. Participants will gain evidence-based strategies to communicate about alcohol use and pregnancy in ways that are clear, supportive, stigma-free, and FASD-informed. As the research continues to evolve, we are committed to turning knowledge into prevention-based action across our communities.

Interested in discussing this issue more or having Proof Alliance NC present at one of your events? Contact us!

03/19/2026

First In Families of Mecklenburg County, a project of InReach, is excited to announce the launch of our 2026 Summer Camp Scholarship Project.

Beginning March 1, 2026, we will begin accepting applications for summer camp assistance for children ages 1–18 years old with a intellectual/developmental disability & their sibling(s) living in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Eligibility Requirements - To qualify, families must:
🔸Reside in Mecklenburg County, NC
🔸Have someone in the household with a qualifying intellectual or developmental disability
🔸Have a household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
🔸Submit a completed First In Families application
🔸Provide a copy of the camp enrollment or registration form
🔸Clearly explain in the application how the funding will improve the camper’s life

Scholarship Amounts:
🔸$400 per camper with an intellectual or developmental disability (including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and related conditions)
🔸Up to $200 per sibling without a disability living in the same household
Funding is awarded first come, first served while funds are available.

🚫 No reimbursement requests will be accepted.
🚫 No phone calls, please.

Apply here: https://ow.ly/qXUP50YrhpI

03/19/2026

The delightful character of Kit the Koala was developed by FASD researcher Nicole Hewlett working in collaboration with the Strong Mothers group at Carbal Aboriginal Medical Service in Toowoomba, Queensland.

The project, a two-part animated series features the adventures of Kit the Koala, who lives with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and has a group of friends who are also neuro-diverse, including a possum living with Autism, a wallaby with ADHD and a platypus with a combination of the two.

The videos focus on a strengths-based, healing-informed and trauma aware approach to FASD. The videos are designed to help facilitate conversations about FASD and to de-stigmatise neurodivergence.

Watch the first video here: https://buff.ly/zuSZOw0 and don’t forget to share it with your young people who have FASD, they’re sure to appreciate it. ❤️