McMan LifeSpan Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Program

Brief Description

The McMan LifeSpan FASD Program provides one-on-one supportive mentorship and intensive case management for youth transitioning to adulthood and adults affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This includes assisting in the areas of employment, education, living skills, advocacy and building natural and community supports. The Outreach portion of the project provides education, information, supports, resources, mentoring services, coaching and advocacy to parents and/or caregivers of persons with FASD. Another aspect of the Outreach is education and information sharing. This includes presenting to the community at large on FASD, as well as schools and other social service agencies in order to work collaboratively with mutual clients.

Goals

The overarching goal of the McMan LifeSpan FASD Program is to reduce the strain on the justice system due to the recidivism rate of clients with a diagnosis of FASD, by connecting clients with as many formal and informal supports as possible to allow for client success.

The program ensures that:

• Individuals diagnosed with and/or suspected of FASD have access to coordinated services based on their needs; have increased knowledge of and access to community resources’ and experience improvement in their wellbeing; and
• Caregivers of individuals affected by FASD have increased knowledge about FASD, about how to care for a person with FASD, and about available supports; have increased access to respite care, peer and professional supports; experience decreased levels of stress and increased ability to cope.

Clientele

The appropriate clientele for the McMan LifeSpan FASD Program are children, youth, and adults who were prenatally exposed to alcohol. FASD is a life-long condition for which there is no cure. Individuals with FASD are at high risk for adverse outcomes, such as challenges at school, trouble with the law, alcohol and drug addictions, inappropriate or risky sexual behaviours, difficulty accessing and maintaining employment, and mental health issues. Individuals with FASD often require extensive support and services, involving multiple community agencies, throughout their lives.

Core Components

The McMan LifeSpan FASD Program provides one-on-one support, mentorship, and outreach to adults and youth affected by FASD. The program is structured as follows:

• The Life Coach portion of the project provides one-on-one supportive mentorship and intensive case management for youth transitioning to adulthood and adults affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD); and
• The Outreach portion of the project provides education, information, supports, resources, mentoring services, coaching and advocacy to parents and/or caregivers of persons with FASD.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: Limited information on this topic.
• Partnerships: Limited information on this topic.
• Training and technical assistance: Limited information on this topic.
• Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

The McMan LifeSpan FASD Project was located and operated out of Pincher Creek, Alberta, a community with a population of 3,800, and also served the surrounding communities of Crowsnest Pass, Lundbreck, Cowley, Fort Macleod, and Brocket (Piikani Reserve) with a combined population of 15,000. The project served clients ranging in age from 18-54 with 42% being under 24 years old. The clients were primarily Aboriginal (92% female, and 83% male.) 103 youth and adults affected by FASD and 81 caregivers obtained services from the program.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

No information available.

References

Alberta Community Crime Prevention Organizations. (2015). Social Return on Investment (SROI) Case Study: McMan LifeSpan Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Program. Recipient of Safe Communities Innovation Fund, Government of Alberta. Available from: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/safe-communities-innovation-fund-pilot-project-executive-summaries

For more information on this program, contact:

McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Associations - South Region
Marge Fisher
Telephone: (403)328-2488
E-mail: marge.fisher@mcman.ca