Promoting Substance-Free Pregnancies and Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)

In collaboration with the Center for Health and Safety Culture (CHSC) at Montana State University, NACCHO is partnering with local health departments to prevent substance-exposed pregnancies and address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). NACCHO and CHSC are working to develop educational offerings for health department staff to build knowledge and capacity and create tools and resources to integrate substance-exposed pregnancy and FASD prevention into existing efforts. To support these efforts, NACCHO and CHSC are convening the Partners for Substance-Free Pregnancies Network, a group of multidisciplinary partners from local health departments to share resources and learn from each other through peer-to-peer information exchange.

Messages to Promote Substance-Free Pregnancies and Prevent FASDs: A Communication Guide for Local Health Departments

• This message guide is intended to help LHDs engage in conversations about preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) with different audiences. This is meant to guide conversations and does not need to be used verbatim.
  
  

What is portfolio mapping?

• An activity to reveal opportunities to promote substance-free pregnancies

Why engage in portfolio mapping?
Once completed, these maps: 

• Provide a clear understanding of current strategies aimed at a variety of audiences
• Reveal opportunities to integrate substance-free pregnancy information into existing efforts 
• Highlight ways to maximize staff time and resources   

How long will it take to create a map?

• Approximately 1-2 hours

Materials

• Video presentation and how-to guide
• Example portfolio map
• Blank portfolio map
  
  

• Alcohol and Pregnancy: Communication Materials for Healthcare Professionals and Patients CDC
• Birth Defects Resources for Healthcare Providers

Promoting Substance-Free Pregnancies Webinar

NACCHO and MSU recently hosted a webinar on promoting substance-free pregnancies. The webinar highlighted resources and opportunities for LHDs to help prevent substance use during pregnancy and FASDs.

Click here to view a recording of the webinar.  

September is FASD Awareness Month - Tools and Resources for Local Health Departments to Promote Substance-Free Pregnancies

How Can Local Health Departments Help Promote Substance-Free Pregnancies?

For more information about this project, please contact [email protected].