Alcohol Related Birth Injury (FAS/FAE) Resource Site

Justice Program

Diversionary Justice Program for young offenders with FAS/E which allows for identification of young offenders with possible FAS/E in order to divert the youth from the legal system where appropriate. Recommendations are made to the courts for assessments, alternative measures or sentencing where appropriate.Case management plans and/or pre-sentence reports are developed. For more information contact Constable Jim Olson, Lethbridge Police Services, (403) 327-2210.

First Steps Program

The Problem:
Alcohol and drug abuse during pregnancy puts children at right because of possible effects of prenatal exposure on the health of the unborn child and because of the likelihood of a compromised home environment. These problems are costly to society and are entirely preventable.

The Goal Of First Steps:
The goals of the First Steps Program are to help mothers build and maintain healthy independent family lives, to assure children are in safe and stable homes and to prevent future births of alcohol and drug affected children.

The First Steps Approach:
Advocates provide extensive practical assistance and the long-term emotional support so critical to women who are making fundamental changes in their lives. Trained and supervised advocates work with a caseload of up to 12 clients for the three years of enrollment.

Advocates assist clients in:

• Identifying personal goals
• Obtaining alcohol/drug treatment
• Staying in recovery
• Assist with family planning
• Child healthcare and immunizations
• Connecting with community services
• Transportation to appointments
• Solving housing, domestic violence and child custody problems
• Resolving system service barriers

Advocates follow the mother and child for three years regardless of who has custody. Mothers remain in the program for the full three years.

First Steps Client Outcomes:
Based on a replication of the award-winning Parent-Child Assistance Program that began as a federal research project in 1991, it is expected that the First Steps Program will meet to exceed the following client outcomes:

• 85% of the First Steps clients will have been involved in an alcohol/drug treatment program
• 67% will have at least one period of abstinence from drugs/alcohol for six months or more
• 73% will be using family planning methods on a regular basis
• 69% of the children will be living with their own families
• 94% of the children will be receiving well-child care and be fully immunized
  
  For more information call (403) 388-6351
  
  
  The First Steps Program is associated with the Parent-Child Assistance Program.
  
  University of Washington
  180 Nickerson St., Suite 309
  Seattle, Washington 98109

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