Check back here to see the latest FASD Policy Initiatives in each state. Is your state working on something great that you’d like to share? Let us know at wisdahl@fasdunited.org.
- In Case You Missed It- March 2024 Policy ForumBefore jumping into policy, Tom Donaldson, FASD United President and CEO reminded everyone of the upcoming International Research Conference on Adolescents and Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. This will be the 9th year of the conference, which was previously held in Vancouver. We hope you can join us in… Read more: In Case You Missed It- March 2024 Policy Forum
- In Case You Missed It- February 2024 Policy ForumFebruary’s Virtual Policy Forum gave the FASD United Policy Team a chance to update advocates on the current status of the FASD Respect Act, as well as a few state-level policy initiatives. Before jumping into policy, Tom Donaldson, FASD United President and CEO reminded everyone of the upcoming International Research… Read more: In Case You Missed It- February 2024 Policy Forum
- State Legislative Templates Now AvailableIn the January 2024 Policy forum, we rolled out legislative templates that can be used to create a mechanism for states to access federal funding for FASD as it becomes available. You can download the templates, get instructions, and see who else is working on state policy here: State Policy… Read more: State Legislative Templates Now Available
- How State-Based Policies Impact Alcohol Use During PregnancyDISCLAIMER: The article which this post is reporting on looked at policies related to alcohol and substance use only through 2016. Since 2016, some states have updated/changed their policies, which is not reflected in the article or this post. For example, North Carolina does, in fact, have a policy related… Read more: How State-Based Policies Impact Alcohol Use During Pregnancy
- State Advocacy – NevadaAssembly Bill 137 updates terminology from FAS to FASD and acknowledges FASD as a developmental disability. This is an important step toward expanding access to services for individuals with FASD.
- State Advocacy – Washington StateWashington State Advocacy – House Bill 1168 would help thousands of Washington families gain access to critically needed prenatal substance exposure services, including support for FASD.
- Legislation Introduced In New York to Include FASD as Developmental DisabilityThe New York State Senate has seen legislation (A.2297/S.1866.) introduced by Senator Samara Brouk of the 55th District and Assemblymember Sarah Clark of the 136th District that seeks to amend the Mental Health Hygiene Law, adding FASDs to the definition of “developmental disability”. This change would include fetal alcohol syndrome,… Read more: Legislation Introduced In New York to Include FASD as Developmental Disability
- Multifaceted FASD Legislation Introduced in Washington StateWe are thrilled to announce another piece of FASD informed legislation has been introduced, this time by the Legislature of Washington State. House Bill 1168, introduced by representatives Tarra Simmons, Alex Ramel, Lisa Callan, Sharon Wylie, Lauren Davis, and Timm Ormsby, primarily seeks to provide prevention services, diagnoses, treatment, and… Read more: Multifaceted FASD Legislation Introduced in Washington State
- In Case You Missed It – January 2023 Policy ForumThank you to everyone who joined us for our first Policy Forum of 2023! We will continue to have these vital discussions around The FASD Respect Act as well as, what is new and upcoming in the world of FASD. Look below to watch the YouTube recording of our January… Read more: In Case You Missed It – January 2023 Policy Forum
- Landmark FASD Legislation Introduced in North DakotaUPDATE (2/17/23): The updated version of the bill passed through the Senate with a vote of 46 to 1 in favor. It will be discussed in the House of Representatives in the coming days. UPDATE (2/16/23): An updated version of this bill has been introduced. With the revisions there will… Read more: Landmark FASD Legislation Introduced in North Dakota
- In Case You Missed It – December Policy ForumThank you to everyone who joined us for our final Policy Forum of 2022 as we said goodbye to an important and inclusive year. We will continue to have these vital discussions around The FASD Respect Act as well as, what is new and upcoming in the world of FASD.… Read more: In Case You Missed It – December Policy Forum
- December’s Newest Respect Act EndorsementDecember 2022 and this year are somehow almost over! Thank you to every organization within the US that have signed on this year to endorse HR.4151/SB.2238- The FASD Respect Act. We have one new addition to the ongoing support list for legislation that will help create tools and resources for… Read more: December’s Newest Respect Act Endorsement
- In Case You Missed It – November Policy Forum RecordingThanks to everyone who joined us for the November 2022 Policy Forum as we said goodbye to an eventful month. We had, and will continue to have, important discourse around The FASD Respect Act. Our next monthly forum will be on Wednesday, December 28th at 2pm Eastern – please join… Read more: In Case You Missed It – November Policy Forum Recording
- Welcome November with Two New Organizational FASD Respect Act EndorsementsNovember 2022 is upon us! Thank you to each and every organization throughout the nation that have signed on to endorse HR.4151/SB.2238- The FASD Respect Act. We have two new additions to the ongoing support list for legislation that will create services for persons living with FASD(s)- To find out… Read more: Welcome November with Two New Organizational FASD Respect Act Endorsements
- Welcome October 2022 with New FASD Respect Act Endorsements!We already miss FASD Awareness Month and September 2022; alas, we have arrived in October and big things are underway! Thank you to the organizations across the nation that have signed on to endorse HR.4151/SB.2238- The FASD Respect Act. We have new additions to the ongoing support list for legislation… Read more: Welcome October 2022 with New FASD Respect Act Endorsements!
- Nevada Comes Through to Close Out September Organization Endorsements and FASD Awareness MonthWe are sad to say goodbye to FASD Awareness Month and September 2022. Thank you to each organization throughout the nation that has signed on to endorse HR.4151/SB.2238: The FASD Respect Act. Nevada provides four new additions to the ongoing support list for a legislation that will create services for… Read more: Nevada Comes Through to Close Out September Organization Endorsements and FASD Awareness Month
- In Case You Missed It – September Policy Forum RecordingThanks to everyone who joined us for the September 2022 Policy Forum as we say goodbye to FASD Awareness Month. We had, and will continue to have, vital discussion around to The FASD Respect Act. Our next monthly forum will be on Wednesday, October 26th at 2pm Eastern – Join… Read more: In Case You Missed It – September Policy Forum Recording
- In Case You Missed It – August Policy Forum RecordingThanks to everyone who joined us for the August 2022 Policy Forum, we had some great discussion around to The FASD Respect Act. Our next monthly forum will be on Wednesday, September 28th at 2pm Eastern – Join us! Looking for great ways to celebrate FASD Awareness Month? Check out… Read more: In Case You Missed It – August Policy Forum Recording
- Show off Your State Proclamations!Did you get a state proclamation issued for FASD Awareness Month? Get one for your City, School District or County? Show it off here!
- California’s SB1016 Awaits Governor Newsom’s Signature“With early intervention and appropriate education services, individuals with FASD can achieve their full potential and lead productive lives,” stated Senator Portantino. “For this reason, it’s critical that we include FASD as part of special education services. Failure to do so will have detrimental effects for children and their families. I look forward to the Governor’s signature on this important measure that helps our children.”
- In Case You Missed It – July Policy Forum RecordingThanks to everyone who joined us for the July 2022 Policy Forum, we had some great discussion around to The FASD Respect Act and future legislation. Please join us for the next policy forum on Wednesday, August 31st at 2pm Eastern. Click here for more information: https://nofaspolicycenter.org/event/monthly-policy-forum-2/2022-08-31/ All are welcome.… Read more: In Case You Missed It – July Policy Forum Recording
- California’s SB1016 Continues to Make ProgressWe are pleased to report that SB1016, a bill introduced by California State Senator Anthony Portantino, which would add FASD as a qualifying condition for special education services in the State of California under the category of OHI or other health impairment, passed out of the Assembly Education Committee with 100% support on… Read more: California’s SB1016 Continues to Make Progress
- In Case You Missed It – June Policy Forum RecordingThanks to everyone who joined us for the June 2022 Policy Forum, we had some great discussion around to The FASD Respect Act. Slides from today’s call are available below.
- In Case You Missed It – May Policy Forum NotesThanks to everyone who joined us for the May 2022 Policy Forum, we had some great discussion around State Legislation and updates on The FASD Respect Act. Unfortunately, we did not record the call but will be sure to record them going forward. Slides from today’s call are available below.
- How to Issue an FASD Awareness Month ProclamationLooking for a great way to celebrate FASD Awareness Month? How about a State Proclamation? State by State instructions and a guidance document are below.
- A New Zoom Link for The Monthly Policy ForumWe’ve updated the zoom link for our Monthly Policy Forum held at 2pm Eastern on the last Wednesday of each month. Check out or events section for more info or cut and paste the links below to add to your calendar. Looking forward to seeing you there. Jenn Wisdahl is… Read more: A New Zoom Link for The Monthly Policy Forum
- State Proclamations for FASD Awareness Month/DayToo early to be thinking about FASD Awareness Month celebrations? Not if you want to get a state proclamation issued. In many states, you need to apply as many as 6 months in advance. This guidance document can help you get a proclamation going in your own state.
- Recording: February Monthly Policy ForumIn case you missed it, the monthly FASD United Policy Forum from Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 was recorded. In this forum, we discussed updates to progress on passage of The FASD Respect Act, as well as updated on pending FASD legislation from Florida, California, Hawaii, New York and Minnesota. We… Read more: Recording: February Monthly Policy Forum
- 2022 State Legislative DatesWanting to get involved in state FASD legislation? A great place to get started is by knowing when your state’s legislature is in session. Find your state’s 2022 legislative session dates by going to your state’s legislative website, or check out the link below with a listing of all 50… Read more: 2022 State Legislative Dates
- Monthly Policy ForumThe forum is a regularly-scheduled monthly virtual meeting to brief advocates and guide policy outreach held on the last Wednesday of the Month at 2pm-3pm Eastern. The meetings are open to all FASD advocates. The priority continues to be passage of the Advancing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Research, Services, and… Read more: Monthly Policy Forum