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Colorado
Pamela Gillen, N.D., R.N., CNS
Director
Colorado FASD/Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Substances (COFAS) Prevention Program
University of Colorado
Colorado Area Health Education Center Program Office
Anschultz Medical Campus
13120 E. 19th Avenue, MS-F433
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: 303-724-0327
Fax: 303-724-0891
E-mail: pamela.gillen@ucdenver.edu
FASD State Web site
www.ucdenver.edu/life/services/AHEC/ProgramAreas/cofas/Pages/cofas.aspx 
FASD State Resources
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Colorado
The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) meets the first Thursday
of each month at 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Council on Substance Abuse and Mental Health,
655 Broadway, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80203 (Compass Bank Building).
Contacts:
April Montgomery
Colorado Responds to Children with Special Needs
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Phone: 303-692-2620
E-mail: crcsn@state.co.us
Eileen Bisgard
Phone: 303-654-3246
E-mail:
eileen.bisgard@judicial.state.co.us
Web site: www.nofascolorado.org
Organized in 1991, this statewide coalition is made up of family members, individuals,
and representatives from organizations within Colorado who are interested in issues
related to prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs and services for individuals
and their families. The purpose is to exchange information and to learn about resources
within Colorado.
NOFAS Colorado provides the following services —
- Sponsors seminars, workshops, and monthly meetings with speakers.
- Helps to establish and sustain family support groups.
- Collaborates to develop evaluation and diagnostic services.
- Builds capacity for affected individuals.
- Provides information on services and resources.
- Advocates for legislative initiatives related to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
(FASD).
- Supports agencies and programs seeking Federal, State, and local funding for FASD-related
issues.
The Fetal Alcohol/Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Prevention Outreach Project
(FASPOP)
Colorado Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center
PO Box 6508, Mail Stop F433
Aurora, CO 80045-0508
Phone: 303-724-0327
Personal DECISIONS Toll-free: 888-724-3273
E-mail: pamela.gillen@ucdenver.edu
Web site:
www.ucdenver.edu/life/services/AHEC/ProgramAreas/cofas/AlcoholUseinPregnancy/Pages/Prevention.aspx
The Colorado Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder(s) (COFAS) Prevention Outreach Project
(POP) is a collaborative effort involving numerous community sectors and health,
education, social service, law enforcement, and community groups. The program has
a statewide focus that uses the Colorado AHEC system to provide program services
to all regions of the State. Colorado Fetal Spectrum Disorder(s) Prevention Outreach
Project (COFAS-POP) addresses all three Institute of Medicine (IOM) prevention interventions—universal,
selective, and indicated. In addition, COFAS-POP delivers services through the Personal
DECISIONS project via a resource line for women seeking help for alcohol abuse,
as well as a self-guided change packet that can be sent to the woman's home.
North Denver County Parent Support Group
Contact: Eileen Bisgard
Phone: 303-654-3246
E-mail: Eileen.bisgard@judicial.state.co.us
The Source — A Directory of Resources for Families and Human Services
Workers Concerned with Maternal Substance Abuse and Children with Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders
Web site: www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/crcsn/fetalalcoholresources.html&
This directory offers resources in Colorado for families and service providers who
live and/or work with children with FASD. The resource lists health care providers,
diagnostic clinics, therapists of all types, mental health providers, substance
abuse treatment providers, child care providers, national Web sites, and much, much
more. For copies of The Source contact April Montgomery at
april.montgomery@state.co.us.
Sewall Child Development Center
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic Clinic
1360 Vine Street
Denver, CO 80206
Phone: 303-399-1800
Web site: www.sewall.org/
Sewall Child Development Center has a multidisciplinary Diagnostic and Evaluation
Clinic that provides services of a pediatrician trained in diagnosis of FAS. Sewall
has focused on providing educational and therapeutic services to young children
and their families since 1980. This center's early intervention services include
special education, speech and language, and motor therapies; developmental preschool,
childcare, individual and family therapy, and family support.
Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs (HCP)
Contact your local public health department or county nursing service or call —
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
Phone: 303-692-2370
E-mail: cdphe.psdrequests@state.co.us
Web site: www.hcpcolorado.org
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs works to support children and
their families. Staff of this program can help you to find services and resources
such as diagnostic clinics, therapists, and community resources. These services
are free of charge and available to all families with children in the community.
Colorado Responds to Children with Special Needs (CRCSN)
The public health birth defects monitoring and prevention project
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
Phone: 303-692-2700
CRCSN is the public health birth defects monitoring and prevention program. It purpose
is to maintain databases of pregnancies and young children with birth defects, developmental
disabilities and risks for developmental delay, to monitor the occurrence of birth
defects and developmental disabilities, to prevent birth defects and secondary disabilities
and to help connect children and families with early intervention services, to provide
accurate statistics to other programs and to researchers with the ultimate goal
of preventing future birth defects and developmental disabilities. Separate programs
in CRCSN include birth defects, neural tube defects, autism, muscular dystrophy,
and fetal alcohol syndrome. CRCSN has been working to prevent and conducting surveillance
on fetal alcohol syndrome since 1991.
Arc of Colorado
1580 Logan Street, Suite 730
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-864-9334
E-mail: mrymer@thearcofco.org
Web site:www.thearcofco.org
The Arc has made individuals with an FASD and their families a population of special
interest. The Arc of Colorado advocates with others to create the conditions under
which all people with developmental disabilities have opportunities to develop competency
and to make choices, to have good relationships with family members and friends,
to have respect and dignity, and to be full participants in all community living.
Their goal is to help people with disabilities and their families become knowledgeable
about disabilities and the services and supports that are available. A variety of
other services may be provided by individual chapters in different regions of Colorado.
Family Voices of Colorado
450 Lincoln, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-733-7000
Web site:
www.familyvoicesco.org
Family Voices Colorado is a chapter of the national, grassroots organization composed
of families and friends who care for and about children with special health care
needs. The primary goal of the organization is to ensure that children's health
is addressed amidst change in public and private health care systems. Family Voices
Colorado provides —
- Information and referral
- Advocacy support information
- Private health insurance advocacy
- Training
- Systems change and policy work
Child Find — Local Public School Districts
Phone: 303-866-6943
Web site: www.cde.state.co.us/early/childfind.htm
Every school district or Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) have
professionals who are trained to evaluate children in a variety of areas, including
cognitive functioning, physical functioning, hearing and vision, speech and language,
and social and emotional development. This service is known as Child Find. One service
is to identify which program in an area serves children from birth through 3 years
of age. The services provided depend on a child's needs, which may include but not
be limited to speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. The local school
district office or the Colorado Department of Education (303-866-6943) can provide
the name of the contact for a specific area.
PEAK Parent Center
E-mail: info@peakparent.org
Web site: www.peakparent.org
Parent Advisors
Hotline: 800-284-0251
E-mail: parentadvisor@peakparent.org
Denver Office
1177 Grant Avenue, Suite 104
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-864-1900
Colorado Springs Office
611 North Weber, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-531-9400
PEAK Parent Center is Colorado's Parent Training and Information Center. It is a
statewide organization of parents of children with disabilities reaching out to
assist other parents and professionals. PEAK Parent Center's commitment is that
children, youth, and adults with disabilities lead rich, active lives and participate
as full members of their schools and communities. This center also offers a detailed
calendar on the Peak Parent Web site above. PEAK Parent Center, the Colorado Department
of Education, and the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council provide person-centered
planning opportunities to people with disabilities between age 3 and 30 years.This
process supports the development of personal support circles to assist you in planning
for the future.
The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People
455 Sherman, Suite 130
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-722-0300
Web site:
www.thelegalcenter.org
The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People is an independent
public interest nonprofit organization specializing in civil rights and discrimination
issues. The center protects the human, civil and legal rights of people with mental
and physical disabilities, those with HIV, and older people throughout Colorado.
The primary goal is to open the legal system to individuals who would otherwise
be unable to voice their needs. The Everyday Guide to Special Education Law,
by Randy Chapman, is an essential tool to help parents obtain the best education
possible for their child with disabilities. This book is also a great resource for
teachers and school administrators.
17th Judicial District FASD Initiative
100 Judicial Center Drive
Brighton, CO 80601
Phone: 303-654-3246
E-mail: Eileen.bisgard@judicial.state.co.us
The 17th Judicial District FASD Initiative is a multidisciplinary, interagency project
formed to study and develop better practices in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment
of FASD in children and adolescents. Children and youth entering the juvenile justice
system in Adams County receive screening, referral for diagnosis as indicated, and
diagnosis.
Legislative Information:
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HB12-1100  
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Criminalization
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2012
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13-25-136. Criminal actions - prenatal drug and alcohol screening - admissibility of evidence. a court shall not admit in a
criminal proceeding information relating to substance use not otherwise required to be reported pursuant to section 19-3-304, 12
c.r.s., obtained as part of a screening or test performed to determine pregnancy or to provide prenatal care for a pregnant woman.
This section shall not be interpreted to prohibit prosecution of any claim or action related to such substance use based on evidence
obtained under circumstances not described in this section. The bill makes the results of any information related to substance use
obtained as part of a screening or test performed for the purpose of determining pregnancy or providing prenatal care inadmissible
in any criminal proceeding.
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Signed by Governor on 3/9/12, effective date of law not indicated.
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HB11 -1144
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Prevention
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2011
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Expands the number of members of the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders commission and encouraging evaluation and expanded use
of health warning information.
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Signed by Governor on 3/25/11, effective date of law not indicated.
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SB187
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Funding
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2009
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This bill concerns supplemental appropriations to the Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing, including appropriations
for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division, High Risk Pregnant Women Program.
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Signed by Governor on 6/2/11, effective date of law not indicated.
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HB1021
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Prevention
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2009
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Section 1. 18-1.9-102, Colorado revised statutes, is amended by defining "co-occurring disorder" to mean a disorder that commonly coincides
with mental illness and may include, but is not limited to, substance abuse, developmental disability, fetal alcohol syndrome,
and traumatic brain injury. Relating to the treatment for person with mental illness who are involved in the criminal and
juvenile justice systems.
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Effective date of law 8/5/09.
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HB1139
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Prevention
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2009
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Section 1. 25-1-201, Colorado revised statutes defines "fetal alcohol spectrum disorder" or "fasd" to mean a
continuum of permanent birth defects caused by maternal
consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. "FASD" includes, but is not limited to, fetal alcohol syndrome.
Section 25-1-216 (4)(a) Creates a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Commission. The Commission shall develop a health warning
sign for use by vendors and shall make recommendations that shall address the prevention of and education about FASD and any
other FASD-related issues.
Each vendor licensed in Colorado to sell alcoholic beverages is hereby encouraged to post a health warning sign pursuant to
paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of this section, informing patrons that the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy may cause
birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome.
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Effective date of law 8/5/09.
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HB1024
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Treatment
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2003
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Concerns child care, and in connection with child care, making modifications to certain statutes affecting foster care child
placement agencies; defines medical foster care which provides home-based care for medically fragile children and youth impacted
by prenatal drug and alcohol abuse.
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Effective date of law 5/22/03.
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