Office of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Alaska's Comprehensive FAS Project

FAS 5 Year Project | Highlights | FAS Challenge | Response to FAS | Printable Version

Office of FAS

In 1998, the State of Alaska began a renewed effort to address the devastating problem of prenatal exposure to alcohol, and the resulting life-long birth defects, establishing the Office of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome within the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS).

The mission of the Office is to prevent all alcohol-related birth defects and to improve the delivery of services to those individuals already affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

To meet this mission, four (4) primary goals have been established to address FASD across the state of Alaska:

  1. Prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)
  2. Diagnose children as early as possible
  3. Improve lifelong outcomes for individuals with FASD through improved services
  4. Document our progress and evaluate program outcomes

Project Funding

In October 2000, with the help of Senator Ted Stevens, the state entered into a 5-year, $29 million cooperative agreement with DHHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ($5.8 million per year) to initiate a statewide comprehensive, integrated approach to FAS prevention and systems improvement. These funds greatly enhanced the initial seed grant funding the Department received in January 1998 from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to initiate a renewed focus on fetal alcohol syndrome.

Prevalence of FASD in Alaska

With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Alaska was one of five state’s who comprised the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Network (FASSNet), a collaboration between CDC, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Wisconsin and Alaska to develop a standardized, multi-source FAS surveillance method that can begin to provide consistent and comparable FAS prevalence rates across the country.

  • Alaska has the highest rate of FAS among the five FASSNet states at 1.4 per 1,000 live births;

  • Approximately 126 infants are born each year in Alaska who have been affected by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy;

  • Alaska Natives have a FAS prevalence rate of 4.8 per 1,000 live births.

Pie Chart

Project Highlights

In developing a comprehensive FASD project in Alaska our approach is community-driven with a focus on systems change and program improvement. We have placed a strong emphasis on the inclusion of families and caregivers as critical partners in our plan, as well as strong multidisciplinary partnerships with those many disciplines impacted by the effects of disabilities resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol.

giro

  • Over 36 community-based grants have been distributed to local non-profit organizations across Alaska with focus on FASD prevention, trainingand educational services, improved services for individuals affected by FASD, diagnostic services, and treatment services for women at risk for giving birth to a child affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol.

  • Community-based FASD Diagnostic Teams – 14 developing teams from Kotzebue to Ketchikan. Since March of 1999, when our first team diagnosis was made, approximately 450 diagnoses have been completed.

  • Statewide Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Behaviors (KABB) Survey – beginning in April 2002 over 4,000 KABB surveys were mailed to: pediatricians; OB-GYNs; family practice doctors, public health nurses; educators; substance abuse providers; social workers; and juvenile/adult corrections workers. With over a 70% return rate, survey results will be ready for distribution in January 2004.

4 kids

  • Public Education/Media Campaign – a statewide multimedia campaign that will include TV, radio, print ads and placement posters premiered September 9, 2002 in conjunction with International FAS Awareness Day. Two campaign themes have been developed:
    • I Have the Power to Prevent FAS
    • Thankfully There are People Who Will Help Her…Are You One of Them?
  • Partnership with the state Department of Education and Early Development (EED) to improved the state’s educational system and how it serves those children and youth affected by disabilities associated with prenatal exposure to alcohol.

FAS Summit – annual training event to provide participants from across Alaska an opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. FAS Summit 2004 is scheduled for March 9-10 in Anchorage, with over 600 participants.

Office of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services
(877) 393-2287 toll-free statewide
(907) 465-3033 Juneau
www.hss.state.ak.us/fas
fas@health.state.ak.us

State of Alaska, Office of FAS, July 30, 2002