Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release
KPBSD observes international FASD Awareness Day
Soldotna, September 5, 2014— Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) does affect KPBSD students, and September 9, 2014, marks international FASD awareness day. The KPBSD, together with our board of education, community agencies, and families recognize the challenges of FASD. We are working with and supporting our students and families, providing FASD education, awareness, and parent support groups.
Public awareness
Learn about the danger of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who struggle with the impact of FASD challenges.
KPBSD focus
“Our goal is to understand and support our students with FASD and other brain based differences, provide support for their families, and hopefully create enough awareness about FASD that we significantly alter the number of future students impacted with FASD,” said Clayton Holland, director of pupil services. “We don’t believe that the Kenai Peninsula has a higher rate of FASD impacted students than any other region of the state, but we do believe we have the chance to positively impact the lives of everyone on the Kenai Peninsula through our work with FASD.”
Deb Evensen, FASD expert, said, “I am honored to be assisting KPBSD as they work toward their goal of more effectively supporting students with FASD, in every grade level and in every program. This work is a bold step forward for KPBSD, and also Anchorage School District (ASD), who are leading the way as two school districts to address this challenge. As we improve our understanding and support for those now living with FASD, we nurture the growing public awareness of what causes this disability, and help create the path to a future where FASD no longer exists.”
“FASD Awareness Day should be a time for all of us at KPBSD to consider the effects of this disorder and to learn how we can better support our students who have this disability,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent.
Six FASD projects in the KPBSD
- Beginning, intermediate, and advanced training on FASD available to all educators throughout the district
- Specific on-site consultations and assistance in the classroom regarding specific students
- A creative cadre of master teachers who work to solve problems and create solutions for more positive outcomes
- Completion and debut of a teacher-training DVD on positive strategies
- A friendly parent support group for caregivers of children with a FASD diagnosis
- Work with health teachers to provide FASD information and awareness for all students
KPBSD parent education and support meetings
Six times throughout the 2014-2015 school year, an evening is scheduled for KPBSD parents to meet. The first gathering is September 26, 2014, from 5:30-8:00 p.m., in the library at Soldotna Elementary School. We’ve learned that our parents experience relief and appreciation to be able to talk with each other in a group facilitated by an FASD expert. Call 907-714-8881 for additional details.
Frontier Community Services (FCS) offers a developmental clinic that provides FASD diagnosis, and also addresses behavioral challenges, emotional trauma, developmental disabilities, and learning issues. The FCS program provides education on FASD in the community, throughout the state, and houses a FASD resource library. Individuals or families with questions about FASD can call Vickie Tinker, coordinator, Frontier Community Services Developmental Clinic and FASD Program, at 907-714-6648.
Links
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