10 signatures reached
To: BC Government
Fund FASD Services
The BC government needs to create a new FASD Strategy which includes specialized funding for intervention services, similar to the funding provided to families affected by Autism, which should be made available from before the age of 6 until the age of 25.
Why is this important?
Based on recent research and considering a conservative estimate, the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is 4% in Canada. That means that 200,000 British Columbians have FASD. That is 4 times the amount of Autism.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is among the leading causes of cognitive and developmental disability among children in Canada.
The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure are vast and varied, but without supports, individuals with FASD can have profound issues with education, daily functioning, mental health, addiction, and social functioning.
When unsupported for their disability, rates of FASD are higher in vulnerable populations, including those involved in the child welfare and justice systems.
Interventions can have a profound impact on outcomes, however, in BC there are limited to no specialized services for this population.
In Ontario, their specialized services funding has been expanded to include families caring for a child or young adult affect by FASD.
We challenge the BC government to revisit their FASD strategic plan, look to other provinces, bring together a roundtable of experts, advocates, family members, and individuals with FASD, and recommit funding to finally support the needs of those affected by FASD.