Caring Causes: New Grantees to Abate Shortage of Services to Address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Minnesota

Starting in January, ten Minnesota organizations will receive grants to build or expand programs to address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in their communities. Grantees, funded by the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS), will receive more than $0.5 million for FASD prevention, intervention, and support.

MOFAS has awarded these community grants annually for nearly 15 years. The grants represent a large portion of the organization’s operating budget and are part of funding MOFAS receives from the Minnesota Department of Health. “We make these investments to help address the severe shortage of providers that work to prevent FASD and serve people impacted by FASD well,” says MOFAS executive director Sara Messelt. “For example, we hear from parents and caregivers who have comprehensive healthcare coverage and disability benefits but can’t find anyone in their area of the state who can provide skilled care for their child. These grants are intended to change that.”

The 2018 grantees will cover five topic areas:

Increasing Access to Employment for Individuals with an FASD:

• CHOICE unlimited will receive $40,300 annually for two years to expand on their service delivery providing employment services and wraparound support for individuals with an FASD ages 16 to 25 in Duluth and the surrounding area.
• Tree Trust will receive $60,000 annually for two years to incorporate FASD screening, build staff capacity, and develop modified service models to support youth on the spectrum with employment services in the metro area.
• The Link will receive $30,000 annually for two years to build on its previous screening project to implement an innovative, person-centered service delivery model by providing employment support for individuals with an FASD that have secured housing through its programs in the metro area.

Making an Impact on FASD in American Indian Communities:

• The Division of Indian Work will receive $60,000 annually for two years to expand its Women in Traditional Birthing program for low-income, high-risk pregnant Native American women with histories of Substance Use Disorders with more intensive pre and post-partum support.
• The Minneapolis American Indian Center will receive $55,000 annually for two years to expand its Bright Beginnings program that works with women with histories of Substance Use Disorder who are pregnant or recently postpartum.

FASD Education Law & Equity Project:

• The School Law Center will receive $75,000 annually for two years to support its statewide FASD Legal Outreach Program for families seeking to ensure their children receive a fair and appropriate education.
• Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services will receive $60,000 annually for two years to provide education law services for low-income families caring for students with an FASD in 33 counties of Southern Minnesota.

Design for FASD:

• Cermak Rhoades Architects will receive $70,000 annually for two years to develop tools and resources focused on residential and interior design for FASD that will be freely available for developers, architects, and community based agencies as resources for the development of housing to meet the needs of individuals on the spectrum.

Early Childhood Screening:

• Houston County Public Health will receive a $10,000 grant extension to build on the current implementation of screening for FASD in early childhood screenings in Houston County.
• LifeCare Medical Center/Quin Community Health Services will receive a $10,000 grant extension to build on the current work to screen for FASD in early childhood screenings in the counties of Roseau, Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, and Red Lake.

Once the grants end, these transformative programs will be embedded in the continued work that the grantee organizations do.

About MOFAS

Since 1998, the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS) has been the hub of hope for families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), guiding and supporting families through the FASD journey.  MOFAS is the leading voice and resource on FASD statewide, standing up for the rights of the FASD community, providing education and training so FASD is better understood and working to ensure that all women know that there is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy. For more information contact MOFAS at 651-917-2370 or toll-free 1-866-90-MOFAS; 2233 University Avenue West, Suite 395, St. Paul, MN 55114; www.mofas.org.