International FASD Awareness Month
2019 FASD Awareness Month
FASD Awareness Month Educational Materials
First celebrated on 9/9/99, International FASD Awareness Day occurs on September 9 each year to raise awareness about the negative effects of drinking while pregnant and to allow individuals with an FASD and their loved ones to share their experiences. Since 2016, NOFAS has expanded FASDay into FASD Awareness Month. Please join us in increasing awareness of this preventable intellectual disability.
Below is a selection of flyers to celebrate FASD Awareness Month. These documents are appropriate for both families and professionals who are involved with FASD in Michigan. Any day is a good day for FASD awareness, so please consider utilizing these materials throughout the year.
1. MCFARES FASDay video: This is Me
3. Michigan FASD support groups flyer
4. MCFARES FASD Talking Points flyer
6. FASD: What the Foster Care System Should Know flyer
7. FASD: What School Systems Should Know flyer
8. FASD: What the Justice System should Know flyer
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month Activities Around the State
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Lansing: A FASDay Proclamation was signed by Governor Whitmer, to celebrate FASD Awareness Day on September 9, 2020.
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Statewide Project S.A.F.E. (Supportive Activities for Everyone) Zoom Meeting: Saturday, September 12, 2020: 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Charisse at charisse@mcfares.org.
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MCFARES Friends of FASD 5k: Saturday, September 26, 2020, all day online event. For more information, contact Kari Jo Wagner at karijo@mcfares.org and visit here.
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NOFAS Affiliate Summit in Washington D.C.: A MCFARES representative will be attending the NOFAS Affiliate Summit at the end of September 2019. Time will be spent meeting about national efforts to address FASD prevention, diagnosis, and interventions in states across the U.S. There will also be time to discuss work by researchers and the federal government, as well as an opportunity to speak to lawmakers about FASD. Want to support the work? Watch the FASD Legislation and Advocacy Training Webinar hosted by NOFAS:
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Ongoing FASD Awareness support nationally: If you’re interested in serving as an advocate for FASD legislation and other policy aims by contacting your congressional delegation and other policymakers, with support from NOFAS, please complete the NOFAS Advocacy Sign Up Form. Advocates will receive regular updates as well as action alerts with specific recommendations for outreach on legislative and policy matters.
Previous MCFARES FASDay Events
MCFARES FASDay 2020
On Saturday, September 12, 2020, about 15 people gathered for MCFARES Project SAFE’s annual FASDay recognition event. This year, due to COVID, MCFARES hosted an event online via Zoom. Attendees learned about FASD, discussed successes and challenges related to FASD, and participated in the MCFARES FASD trivia game. All of our guest won prizes for participating in the trivia game.
MCFARES FASDay 2018
MCFARES Macomb Project S.A.F.E. hosted an open meeting in recognition of International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day. Over 20 people came out to enjoy a pot-luck dinner and some talks by our families. The kids had a great time playing together in the gym while the adults spent time catching up and supporting each other.
MCFARES FASDay 2016
On Saturday, October 10th, MCFARES hosted it’s 5th open Project SAFE meeting to recognize International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day. Families and professionals came together for an excellent potluck meal, talks given by three of our families and the MCFARES FASD trivia game. Guests had the opportunity to gather FASD-related materials to share with others who are seeking information about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
MCFARES FASDay 2014
Again in 2014, MCFARES held an open Project SAFE meeting. Families had the opportunity to share information about how FASD has affected them and to collect informational brochures and literature to share with others who interact with their children.
MCFARES FASDay 2012
In 2012, MCFARES held an open Project S.A.F.E. (Supportive Activities for Everyone) meeting. Families were encouraged to invite family, friends and professionals to enjoy dinner and learn about FASD.
MCFARES FASDay 2010
FASDay 2010 found MCFARES back at Macomb Mall for another Better Beverage Challenge. Guests enjoyed sampling unique non-alcoholic beverages while learning about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and the importance of remaining alcohol-free during pregnancy.
MCFARES FASDay 2008
In 2008, MCFARES held a Walk-A-Thon in downtown Mt. Clemens. Guests walked through downtown Mt. Clemens stopping at several local establishments to participate in the Better Beverage Challenge and sample non-alcoholic drinks. After completing the walk, guests voted for their favorite beverage.
MCFARES FASDay 2006
In 2006, MCFARES hosted a bowl-a-thon to raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Local agencies that provide services and supports to families were on hand to provide information to guests and everyone enjoyed an afternoon of bowling.
MCFARES FASDay 2019
On Saturday, September 14, 2019, about 35 people gathered for Macomb Project SAFE’s annual FASDay recognition event. We shared a meal, listened to a few speakers, and enjoyed playing the MCFARES FASD trivia game. Some of our lucky guests won gift cards. Guests shared ideas about how they would raise awareness of FASD over the next year. One of our guests made a keychain especially for the event which incorporates the FASD knot and the color red (see this site for more information: https://redshoesrock.com/what-is-a-fas-knot/).
MCFARES FASDay 2017
Each year, groups around the globe gather on or around September 9th to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy. On Saturday, September 9th in Macomb County, a small but mighty group met to recognize International FASDay. We enjoyed a tasty dinner and great conversation. Our group talked about the cause of FASDs and what each of us could do to help prevent it and support affected individuals and families. We then learned about a 5k walk/run that Erin Wiedenbeck and fellow DECA students from Livonia Stevenson High School would be sponsoring for MCFARES. Then our group decorated t-shirts for the walk.
MCFARES FASDay 2015
In 2015, MCFARES hosted an open Project SAFE evening. Families and community members came together for a meal, to share information about FASD, a trivia game with prizes and pledged to share information about prevention with others in the community.
MCFARES FASDay 2013
For FASDay 2013, MCFARES again held an open Project SAFE meeting. Guests enjoyed dinner, time to socialize with other families, an FASD trivia game and prizes.
MCFARES FASDay 2011
In 2011, MCFARES hosted a Dance-A-Thon at St. John Lutheran Church in Fraser. Guests collected pledges to help support MCFARES and a local dance group helped to lead the dancing.
A concert was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan featuring singer John McAndrew. In addition to enjoying the concert, guests learned about the dangers of using alcohol during pregnancy.
MCFARES FASDay 2009
FASDay 2009 was held at Macomb Mall in Roseville, Michigan. Various agencies and individuals in Macomb County provided non-alcoholic beverages for guests to sample. Guests then voted for their favorite beverage. Information about the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy was available for our guests.
MCFARES FASDay 2007
In 2007, MCFARES hosted a vendor table at a recovery event on Belle Isle. Coalition members collected school supplies and provided information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders to share with guests who came to the event.
MCFARES FASDay 2005
MCFARES held its first FASDay event in 2005. Coalition and community members came together in downtown Mt. Clemens, Michigan to raise awareness of FASD.
