Happy New Year to the NOFASD network and supporters!
2017 was a busy and productive year for NOFASD Australia. A significant achievement was our success in achieving ongoing funding from the Australian government through a competitive open tender process.
One of our most important and busy roles is the management of a national Helpline (1300 306 238) for people in Australia who have FASD and anyone else involved in providing support to them, especially parents and caregivers but also service providers. Last year, in addition to the helpline our 2.8 FTE staff and a group of wonderful volunteers have also:
Distributed almost 18,000 newsletters;
Distributed 255 Parent Support Packs and follow-up for families post diagnosis;
Grown our Facebook following by 25% and Twitter by 15%;
Managed an information website with 90,000-page views and 30,000 users;
Distributed 6500 FASD information items at 26 conferences and presented at 10;
Increased our range of specialist FASD-informed parent-help resources;
Implemented a webinar series available for ongoing viewing;
Delivered 5 Train it Forward programs in Sydney, Ceduna, Tasmania and Darwin;
Presented on FASD at 10 conferences;
Managed 7 national events for the 9th of September including a flagship at Westfield's Pitt Street Mall in Sydney;
Conducted exhibitor stands at 26 conference and health events;
Created 2 alcohol and pregnancy awareness social media campaigns;
Delivered 25 face-to-face information sessions and workshops to service providers, schools, justice workers and foster families across Australia;
Participated in the Siggins Miller FASD 10-year Plan consults in Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Perth;
Published in the In Motion Magazine for Australian Physiotherapy Association, Drink Tank and several other publications;
Participated in the judging panel of Early Childhood Intervention Services Excellence Awards October 2017 - WA and NT branches.
To enable children and adults who have FASD reach their full potential it is critical that service providers in Australia increase their capacity to understand the specific needs of this population and the families who support them. Much still needs to be done in the areas of FASD prevention, awareness raising, understanding, support and clinical management. The Commonwealth Health Department has been proactive in developing a strategic response and the consultations towards a 10-year plan are an important initiative in ensuring a sustained, cohesive and appropriate response to this often “hidden” and mis-understood disability.
This year NOFASD will continue to advance the interests of those who have FASD and the parents, caregivers and families who support them and have to contend with the significant challenges that brings.
On behalf of NOFASD Australia I wish you, your families and colleagues a healthy and happy new year and one in which public knowledge, awareness and understanding of FASD increases through the efforts of everyone concerned about this disability.
Louise Gray
Executive Officer
