FASD Needs Assessment: Building a Foundation in Newfoundland and Labrador and into Atlantic Canada
Dr. Adrienne Peters, faculty member in the Department of Sociology at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and fasdNL board member, and Dr. Katharine Dunbar Winsor, executive director of fasdNL, conducted a research project called A Community Needs Assessment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Newfoundland and Labrador and into Atlantic Canada.
In Atlantic Canada gaps have been found to exist in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder prevention, diagnosis, education, and intervention due to limited funding and policies (Dunbar Winsor & Morton-Ninomiya, 2018). Understanding the prevalence and financial costs associated with FASD are crucial components in understanding the needs of the Atlantic provinces in supporting individuals/families/communities impacted by FASD and the development and implementation of related policy and practice.
The primary objective of this needs assessment was to conduct the first provincial and local community needs assessment to ascertain the main social, familial, educational, health, and legal needs associated with FASD. Using a multi-stage model, we identified key FASD needs, service barriers and strategies for improvement and access in the province.
This research project consisted of 3 main phases and aimed to identify specific gaps, existing capacities, and ways/strategies to move forward to address/improve FASD in Atlantic Canada:
Step 1. Surveys with community members, health and justice professionals, educators, policymakers and people with
lived experience.
Step 2. Focus groups and one-on-one interviews with interested participants.
Step 3. The assessment of existing policies and practices related to FASD in Atlantic Canada.
The primary objective of this needs assessment was to conduct the first provincial and local community needs assessment to ascertain the main social, familial, educational, health, and legal needs associated with FASD. Using a multi-stage model, we identified key FASD needs, service barriers and strategies for improvement and access in the province.
This research project consisted of 3 main phases and aimed to identify specific gaps, existing capacities, and ways/strategies to move forward to address/improve FASD in Atlantic Canada:
Step 1. Surveys with community members, health and justice professionals, educators, policymakers and people with
lived experience.
Step 2. Focus groups and one-on-one interviews with interested participants.
Step 3. The assessment of existing policies and practices related to FASD in Atlantic Canada.
Needs Assessment Final Report
Read about the project and our results below.
Read more about the Needs Assessment in our 2022-23 Annual Report.
Thank you to our funders and partners:
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