Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities are known for their understanding of healing, wellness, and the cycles of nature. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Center for Excellence (CFE) Native Initiative works with these strengths and the strengths of community elders to bring Native people messages about FASD that are culturally respectful and meaningful.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Center for Excellence

The SAMHSA FASD CFE is funded by CSAP and was established to prevent and address FASD.  FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities. Because of the cognitive difficulties associated with FASD, individuals with these disorders often encounter life problems such as homelessness, substance abuse treatment and recovery, mental illness, unemployment, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Information Resources

The FASD CFE works across multiple disciplines to educate and train policymakers and providers, caregivers and communities, individuals and families on how to help prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) and improve the lives of individuals affected by FASD. The SAMHSA FASD CFE -

  • Offers access to leading-edge information on FASD through its Information Resource Center (IRC) and Web site, http://www.fascenter.samhsa.gov/. Resource materials range from scientific studies and scholarly articles to books and DVDs by or about individuals and families affected by FASD. On its Web site, the FASD CFE offers downloadable pamphlets and brochures, and access to an online database. If the desired information cannot be located, users can contact the IRC Information Specialist, available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, by e-mail - fasdcenter@samhsa.gov - or via our toll-free phone line, 1-866-STOPFAS (1-866-786-7327).
  • Provides training and technical assistance onsite and by teleconference to agencies, communities, States, and Tribal entities to help build their capacity to 1) prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies, and 2) readily recognize and appropriately serve individuals with FASD and their families. Request training and technical assistance, access educational materials, or take online courses at the FASD CFE Web site, http://www.fascenter.samhsa.gov/educationTraining/educationTraining.cfm. Some online training is eligible for continuing education credits (CEUs).
  • Aggregates a database that contains more than 13,000 resource materials and adds 20 to 30 new articles each month. Searchable and sortable by a variety of publication types and subject-matter areas, the database is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The FASD CFE receives and assists with inquiries from professionals and interested individuals from around the world. Explore the database here: http://www.fascenter.samhsa.gov/search/basic/index.cfm.

Prevention Resources

The FASD CFE has demonstrated that screening and brief interventions for women at risk of an AEP can be integrated in a range of settings, including community and Tribal health services, and national programs such as Healthy Start and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) initiative.

National, State, and Grassroots Resources

Since 2001, the SAMHSA FASD CFE has been a catalyst and organizer of human resources that work independently and collaboratively to address FASD issues, including:

Building FASD State Systems (BFSS) - A group designed to share information on the progress made and lessons learned by States and U.S. territories as they create and enhance comprehensive systems of care for prevention and treatment of FASD

National Association of FASD State Coordinators (NAFSC) - State-designated representatives who collaborate on FASD issues

Birth Mothers Network (BMN) - A national network that provides peer support to women and families who are raising a child or children with an FASD

Self Advocates with FASD in Action (SAFA) - A national network for young adults with an FASD, whose goal is to build and support a strong network of self-advocates

To access information about these groups, and more, link to http://www.fascenter.samhsa.gov/statesystemsofcare/statesystemsofcare.cfm.

Se habla Español

El sitio Web del Centro EDAF y muchos de los materiales impresos del Centro están disponibles en Español. Puede acceder al sitio Web en Español mediante el siguiente enlace:http://www.fascenter.samhsa.gov/fasdsp/fasdsp/index.cfm o mediante otros enlaces que se encuentran en la version del sitio Web en Inglés: http://www.fascenter.samhsa.gov/index.cfm.

For more information about the SAMHSA FASD CFE, please contact Jon Dunbar-Cooper, Government Project Officer - email: jdunbar@Samsha.hhs.gov - Phone: (240) 276-2573 - Mobile: (240)-498-4587 - Address: CSAP, Division of Systems Development, 1 Choke Cherry Road, 4th Floor, Room 4-1020, Rockville, MD 20857.

You may also contact Callie B. Gass, SAMHSA FASD CFE Project Director - email: callie.gass@ngc.com - Phone: (301) 527-6509 - Mobile: 301-873-5952 - Address: SAMHSA FASD CFE, 2101 Gaither Road, Suite 600Rockville, MD 20850.

Last updated: 09/07/2011