Submitted by Marsha Wilson, on behalf of the CanFASD Family Advisory Committee
Are you a parent with a loved one with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) who would like to make a difference in your child’s life and the lives of others that have been prenatally exposed to alcohol? Do you like learning and contributing to discussions that lead to change and new discoveries? Do you presently reside in Nunavut?
If your answers to these questions are, “Yes, yes and yes!”, then we would like to encourage you to consider applying for a volunteer position on the CanFASD Research Network’s Family Advisory Committee (FAC).
The Family Advisory Committee is a group of parents representing a number of provinces and territories from across Canada that meet by phone monthly and annually in person. When we gather, we share conversation and seek to represent the voice of parents who are looking to learn more about FASD and effect change in policy and practice, both now and for the future.
We work alongside researchers from the CanFASD Research Network and discuss research ideas and projects in a variety of areas, including prevention, intervention, early years, mental health, justice, diagnostics and child welfare.
Our mission is twofold:
- Advise on research priorities for families impacted by FASD
- Assist in translating results of research to ensure they are accessible to families
Check out these two videos from parents who are currently on our committee: Tammy Roberts, a foster parent from Northwest Territories (NT) and Ray Marnoch from the Yukon.
Want to meet the rest of us? We would love to meet you! Take a look at the biographies of the current FAC members.
Would you like more details? Check out the CanFASD website.
Are you ready to apply? Complete this on-line application form or download the application form and email it to info@canfasd.ca.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Marsha Wilson is a member of the CanFASD Family Advisory Committee. She is the parent of an internationally adopted adult son with FASD. She has a master’s degree in leadership and special education and did her thesis on the design and implementation of support groups for families living with FASD. She has been a college instructor in special education and disability studies for 30 years, teaches a course on supporting families and has co-authored curriculum on support groups for FASD.