Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect

Developing a Community Response

Edited by Glen Schmidt, Jeanette Turpin

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects (FAS/E) are particularly serious problems in many northern communities. Canadian material on this subject is lacking and services are poorly developed. Part of the reason has to do with the relatively recent recognition of FAS/E. However there is also the problem of hinterland location and resulting marginalization of populations in Northern parts of the country. The intent of this book is to provide an informative, practical and critical resource that will be useful to people such as social workers, educators, foster parents, case aides and nurses who provide direct service to those affected by FAS/E. The book challenges program planners and policy makers to recognize the seriousness of the problem and its long term effects. Contributors largely represent actual human service workers as opposed to academics.

Contents

• Introduction (Jeanette Turpin and Glen Schmidt)
• Parenting Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Kee Warner)
• A Practical Roadmap for the Imperfect but Practical-minded Clinician (Marie Hay)
• The Role of Psychological Tests in FAS/E (Robert Williams)
• The Role of the Community Health Nurse in Dealing with FAS/E (Joanne Alexander and Pat Short)
• FaS and FAE in Classrooms: Strategies for Educators (Anne Lindsay and Donna Preston)
• Support for First Nations to Address Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects (Michael Hart)
• Considering the Ecology of FAS/E: Developing an Interdisciplinary Approach to Intervention with Alcohol-affected Children and their Families (Kathy Jones)
• Poverty, Policies of Disentitlement and FAS/E (Gordon Ternowetsky)
• Case Management with FAS/E Children in Northern and Remote Communities (Jeanette Turpin and Glen Schmidt)
• References

About the Authors

Glen Schmidt was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He received a BA and a BSW from the University of Manitoba. After graduating from the BSW program, he worked for 12 years in Thompson, a northern mining community located about 760 kilometers north of Winnipeg. During that time he was a child welfare worker, a supervisor in child welfare, and coordinator of community mental health services. In 1990, Glen graduated with a MSW from University of British Columbia, after which he taught for the University of Manitoba Social Work Access Program located in Thompson. In 1994 he joined the University of Northern British Columbia. He has served in various roles including Field Director, BSW Coordinator, MSW Coordinator, and Program Chair. Glen has continued to be involved in direct practice on a part-time basis. He works primarily in the area of mental health and employee assistance. He is a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW) in the Province of British Columbia. In 2003 he received a PhD in Social Work from Memorial University.