February 2010 FASD Tool Kit Pilot Workshop
Elaine Orrbine on behalf of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres (CAPHC) and the Project Steering Committee welcomed participants to the Workshop. Elaine recognized the contribution of the FASD experts on the Steering Committee and the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada. Progress to date of the development of screening tools for children and youth potentially affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) was reviewed; and criteria for screening and selection of the five tools for piloting were reviewed.
Dr. Sterling Clarren set the stage for the workshops by presenting an in-depth overview of the aetiology of FASD, research findings, at-risk groups and treatment and interventions.
The goals of the workshop pilots were:
- To evaluate the practical application of the five screening tools from the perspective of frontline providers; and
- To make recommendations on improvements to the tools and manuals.
Participants were frontline providers who were assigned to one of five pilot workshops based on the likelihood of their using the tool as part of their work, as follows:
Asante Centre FASD Screening & Referral Form for Youth Probation Officers – Probation/Corrections Officers working in the youth justice system in various jurisdictions across Canada;
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Screening Tool (FASST) -educators, counsellors, nurses and nurse practitioners, parent
Maternal Drinking Guide –social workers, outreach workers, women’s health and treatment program professionals, nurse practitioners, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) staff
Medicine Wheel Tools – health and social services providers in First Nations communities, FASD specialists/consultants, representatives from First Nations communities, program evaluator, FNIHB staff
Meconium Screening –neonatologists, laboratory and clinical staff, nurses, paediatrician, toxicologist, children services managers
Pilot workshops were facilitated by Steering Committee members or their designate and four of the five tool researchers/developers attended the pilot workshop for their tools.
Workshops were facilitated using a common set of questions. Tool Evaluation Questions and case studies/scenarios were provided where appropriate to facilitate hands-on experience using the tools.
Please evaluate the tool assigned to your group using the following questions as a guide.
- How easy is it to use this tool/manual? E.g. time considerations, format/lay-out, length, scoring instructions
- How accessible is the tool/manual? E.g. language, information required
- What expertise is required to use this tool/manual? e.g. professional background, experience/sensitivity to substance abuse issues, training requirements
- Are there issues of cultural appropriateness in the use of this tool/method?
- Is it clear how to interpret results and what are the next steps?
- Are there any conditions/factors/initiatives you are aware of which could facilitate the implementation of this screening tool/method?
- Are there any other barriers to implementation of this tool/method? E.g. costs, service availability
Click here to view the Opening Remarks and Overrview Presentation by Elaine Orrbine
Click here to view the FASD Overview presentation by Dr. Sterling Clarren
Click here to view entire proceedings document
