Curriculum for Addiction Professionals > Competency 5: Continuing Care of Families Affected by FASD > 7e. Value of a Mentor and Support Group Network

Please Select One 1. Competency Description 2. Pretest 3. Learning Objectives 4. Clinical and Environmental Stabilization for Clients with an FASD or Possible FASD 4a. Multidisciplinary Approach to Continuing Care 5. Continuing Care for Clients with an FASD or Possible FASD 5a. One-on-One Counseling and Structured Group Involvement 5b. Treatment Plan Development 6. Relapse Prevention 6a. Community Referrals 6b. Employment 7. Continuing Care Services for Clients with Children with an FASD or Possible FASD 7a. Multidisciplinary Approach to Continuing Care 7b. Counseling and Structured Group Involvement 7c. Potential Risks for Child Abuse in Families 7d. Treatment Plan Development 7e. Value of a Mentor and Support Group Network 7f. Ongoing Case Management 8. Continuing Care Issues for Families with an Individual with an FASD 8a. Role of Family in Preventing Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancies 8b. Access to Services 8c. Access to Services-What Families Need 9. Issues Related to Professional Values and Ethics 10. Matching Activity 11. Posttest 12. References

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Competence 5: Continuing Care of Families Affected by FASD

Continuing Care Services for Clients with Children with an FASD or Possible FASD, Continued

Value of a Mentor and Support Group Network

Supportive networks have been shown to contribute to alcohol- and drug-free lifestyles.¹³ For mothers of children with an FASD, a mentor or support group may be needed beyond traditional 12-Step groups such as AA. Sharing similar feelings and experiences with FASD can help decrease the stigma, blame, and shame that birth mothers may experience. Working through these feelings can help promote ongoing recovery.

The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) sponsors Circle of Hope, a network of birth mothers raising children with an FASD. The network provides mentoring, family support, resources, a Web site with a discussion board, and updates through a quarterly newsletter. Clients can be referred to NOFAS (800-66NOFAS or www.nofas.org ) for information about the network.

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