Connect, Correct, Next Steps

This conference is the third hosted by Fetal Alcohol Nova Scotia (FANS). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) affects approximately 4% of the population, more than Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Tourette's Syndrome combined. This means there are approximately 40,000 Nova Scotians living with FASD. This conference moves us forward from raising awareness to initiating next steps in addressing FASD in Nova Scotia. It is now time to help professionals understand how FASD affects Prevention, Social Services, Mental Health Services, Justice, and Education, along with other sectors. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be informed. But you will not come away untouched by the messages of our speakers.

Who should come?

Anyone and everyone who works with people needs to know about FASD.

This conference is a great opportunity for:

• Developmental disability researchers, especially those focused on FASD;
• Individuals with FASD, their family members, and those that care for them;
• FASD professionals, including those working in diagnostic clinics and support programs;
• Professionals working in child welfare and social services;
• Policymakers and government representatives;
• Educators, administrators, and school staff;
• Mental health, substance use, and addictions professionals;
• Individuals focused on FASD prevention and women’s health promotion;
• Doctors, nurses, midwives, and other healthcare practitioners;
• Lawyers, corrections officers, police, judges, and other law and justice professionals;
• And many more...!

Speakers

Audrey McFarlane, B.CR; MBA (CED), A.O.E.

Ms. McFarlane is the Executive Director for the Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network. She was one of the founders of the Lakeland Centre forFASD in Alberta and led this organization for almost 20 years. Through this work she was instrumental in the development of FASD diagnostic and support services in ruralcommunities that has been adopted across the country.

In the past 30 years she has been passionate about working with individuals with FASD, their families and service system to develop best practice service models in rural diagnosis; community outreach and prevention. Audrey has presented at the local,regional, national and international level on many issues related to FASD. As, Executive Director of the Canada FASD Research Network since 2017, she directs and encourages research in areas of FASD that is meaningful to families, individuals with FASD, policymakers, service providers and to promote healthy pregnancies.

Audrey was recently awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence for her work, which is the highest honor the province can bestow on a citizen, and received the Owen Adams Award of Honour, the highest Canadian Medical Association aware available to a non-physician.

FASD continues to challenge and motivate Audrey to find and share solutions for meeting the needs of those engaged in this field.

Annette Cormier

Annette Cormier is the provincial program manager for the NB FASD Centre of Excellence. She is very active at the provincial, Atlantic and national levels regarding prevention, diagnosis, intervention, and support for individuals living with FASD and their families. Annette has a particular interest in working with First Nations Communities. She has developed strong relationships with and has drawn from the knowledge and wisdom of the elders which inspired the NB FASD Dream Catcher Service Delivery Model. A devoted nurse for over 32 years in the Maternal-Child Health sector, her passion for delivering patient and family centred care in a culturally safe way has earned her and her team multiple recognitions. In 2017, she was awarded the Excellence Award in Management and Leadership and in 2018, the Creativity and Innovation Award both from the Vitalité Health Network. Under her leadership, The NB Center of Excellence program was recognized as a best practice in Canada by the HSO (Health Standard Organization) in their field and was the recipient of the first CanFASD Claudette Bradshaw Innovation Award, a national recognition for the innovation in developing their Dream Catcher Service Delivery Model. Mother of 3 young adults, and grandmother of 2, Annette strives to make the world a better place for all human beings!

Stacy Taylor

Stacy Taylor is a social worker who is currently the Quality Assurance, Training and Professional Development Coordinator with the NB FASD Centre of Excellence. She has worn many hats related to FASD in the past including but not limited to being the FASD Project Coordinator who led the development and implementation of a provincial service delivery model for the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of FASD for NB. She was the provincial FASD lead while employed with the Public Health Agency of Canada and was a member of the FASD Intergovernmental Partnership Committee. She was also chair of the NB FASD Interdepartmental Committee, co-chair of the NB FASD Centre of

Excellence Program Management Committee and was also a member of the CanFASD Research Network Board of directors while employed with the NB Department of Health’s Addiction and Mental Health Services Branch. She is currently the chair of the CanFASD Research Network Alumni Committee.

Allan Mountford, B.A., B.P.E., B.Ed., M.Ed.

Allan has over 40 years experience in education of neurodiverse students, and has worked on FASD for over 26 years in front-line and policy-making capacities. He is a co-founder of Fetal Alcohol Nova Scotia (FANS) and has served on several federal and Ontario provincial committees on FASD. Since moving to Nova Scotia, he is passionate about enhancing positive outcomes for individuals with FASD in this province.

Francis Perry

Francis is a dynamic speaker, telling the story of his life with FASD in a vivid, sometimes humorous, and sometimes heart-wrenching style. He is a sought-after presenter for workshops focusing on this serious health issue and has spoken to groups in almost every province and territory in Canada. He has been interviewed by CBC radio, had a half-hour documentary produced about his life on APTN, was the inspiration for an award-winning play by a New Brunswick school, and has been featured in numerous magazine and newspaper articles.

Aaron Howlett

Aaron is a 17-year-old who loves to share his thoughts on growing up with FASD. He is articulate and speaks from his heart when he shares the challenges and successes of his life. As a student and young entrepreneur, his strengths often mask the difficulties FASD has presented for him and his caregivers.

Parent Panel

Several parents/caregivers have volunteered to share their stories of living with FASD.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Halifax Tower Hotel & Conference Centre, Ascend Hotel Collection, 15 Lakelands Boulevard, Halifax, Canada