Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) is a significant public health problem with estimates between 2% to 5% of US schoolchildren affected. Federal funding for FASD prevention and intervention has significantly declined from $27 million in 1998 to $12 million in FY2021. Prenatal alcohol exposure is the most commonly known cause for developmental disabilities in the US. FASDs are known to effect aspects of an individual’s social, emotional, and academic functioning. In addition to abnormal facial features (e.g. smooth philtrum; small head size; shorter than average height), a person with a FASD might also have intellectual disability or lower cognitive ability, learning disorders, poor memory, difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactive and impulsive behavior, and poor reasoning and judgement. Despite these wide range effects, historically, support for research and services have been limited. There is currently a bipartisan bill before Congress, the FASD Respect Act, which would support FASD research, surveillance, and activities related to diagnosis, prevention, and intervention. The American Psychological Association (APA) and FASD United have supported this bill.
Existing FASD efforts are fragmented with various approaches taken by Federal, State, Tribal, and local policymakers. This has resulted in the absence of a national agenda identifying a comprehensive approach toward advancing FASD research, prevention, and intervention services. The FASD Respect Act (H.R.4151/S.2238) would authorize $118 million for advancing FASD prevention efforts, screening, identification, and research. The Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, and the Health Resources and Services Administration would collaboratively carry out and coordinate surveillance, research, and efforts to diagnose, prevent, and treat FASD. This bill would provide funding to develop and strengthen systems of care and establish a FASD Center of Excellence, which would comprise stakeholders at the national, state, tribal, and local level to develop new or improve existing best practices for FASD. The Department of Education and the Department of Justice would also be supported by this bill to develop and disseminate training and best practices in schools and correctional facilities.
Please refer to the FASD United Policy and Training Center for current updates on the status of this bill and current policymaker and organizational support. You can also sign up for policy updates and connect with your local lawmakers through this Center. Consider consulting FASD United if you are interested in learning more about FASD-related programs in your community and for obtaining resources to provide to key stakeholders and caregivers.