FASD Collaborative
Special Interest Groups
The FASD Collaborative Special Interest Groups (SIGs) were designed to provide professionals a space to discuss discipline-specific topics and needs related to FASD. These SIGs are open to anyone who is professionally tied to the work of that specific disciplinary forum.
Each SIG is designed to offer, at a minimum, a monthly discipline- or topic-specific discussion group and related content for its members. Across SIGs, the primary focus is to provide a space for collaboration, consultation, and support to increase knowledge and understanding of the complexities of FASDs and integrate that knowledge effectively to understand how to best support the unique needs of those impacted by FASD. Each SIG will focus on providing professionals and other interested stakeholders with effective, evidence-based practices that will enhance their capacity to support individuals and families.
The focus of topics and outcomes for each group will vary based on the needs and interests of those participating in that SIG. For more information, please contact the SIG hosts below to be added to the SIG mailing list/listserv.
Don't See Your Professional Field or Topic Represented Below?
If you do not see your field of practice or a specific topic of focus below...don't fret! All we need to form a new discipline- or topic-specific SIG is an organization willing to sponsor the opportunity. This includes hosting a monthly SIG discussion group on Zoom (or similar platform), adding new members to your group, and facilitating group meetings.
Every FASD Collaborative Professional SIG should uphold basic professional etiquette, discipline-specific professional standards, and be fully aligned with evidence-based practices in the field of FASD.
If you would like to help support the creation of a SIG for your professional area, please contact Emily Rusnak, FASD Collaborative Project Manager, at emily@mcfares.org.
FASD Undergraduate, Graduate,
and Professional Education SIG
This is a special interest group (SIG) hosted by NOFAS Missouri (current name change in process) is designed to discuss the development and promotion of undergraduate, graduate, and professional education resources specific to FASD. This SIG is suitable for professors and instructors in higher education, as well as programmatic leaders for organizations (such as LEND programs), with a vested interest in sharing resources to help build intra- and interdisciplinary training/coursework to advance FASD pre-professional and continuing education.
Contact Leigh Tenkku Lepper at tenkku@gmail.com to join or to ask questions about this SIG.
Housing and Supports for Adults with FASD SIG
This is a workgroup co-hosted by Orchids FASD Services of WI and the Statewide Independent Living Council of Alaska for the purposes of finding, supporting, and sharing information about accessible housing options and related supports for adults with FASD. We will identify and discuss the issues and barriers people with FASD face as well as the supports needed for obtaining and maintaining suitable, stable, and affordable housing. We will focus on developing concrete solutions to these problems.
Individuals who have experience searching for, finding, or creating housing opportunities for special needs adults are welcome to join the group and should consider themselves professionals on this subject. FASD caregivers, self-advocates, residential staff, housing specialists, and housing rights advocates may be particularly interested in joining.
Our group meets twice per month and welcome new members. Please contact Jackie Wille at jwille@orchidsfasdservices.org to join or to ask questions about this SIG. Please write FASD Housing Group in the subject line.
Mental Health Professionals SIG
A professional forum hosted by The Center for Neurobehavioral Guidance (Illinois FASD United Affiliate). This SIG supports mental health professionals internationally who are individually supporting individuals with FASDs and their families.
Suitable for the following professions: Mental Health Therapists, Counselors, Psychotherapists, Marriage & Family Therapists, Professional Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors, Psychiatrists, Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Developmental Therapists, Occupational Therapists (supporting areas such as emotional regulation).
Contact Janessa Nikols, NCC, LCPC at jnikols@centerforneurobehavioralguidance.org to join this SIG.
Speech-Language Pathology SIG
A professional forum hosted by the Specialty Diagnostic Resource Center (Arkansas FASD Diagnostic Center). This SIG supports speech-language pathologists (SLPs) internationally who serve individuals with an FASD.
Contact Elizabeth Cleveland, Ph.D. at ecleveland@uca.edu to join this SIG.
Members of the SLP SIG can access all SIG materials and recordings at any time here.