ESTABLISHED EXPERTISE IN FASD
Over our 35 years of experience, we have developed extensive supports and strategies to equip and empower our Foster Parents to provide the love and care for our population of Foster Children, Youth, and Young Adults with FASD.
The need for alternative and innovative programming is evident.
Based on our placement referral research and our service delivery experiences, we are keenly aware of the exceptional needs within the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) populations. We have recognized the need for more comprehensive and intensive supports through our experience serving Foster Children, Youth, and Young Adults within our well-established foster care programs.
Bridgeway partners with Children’s Aid Societies in Ontario to help reduce the number of children, youth, and young adults affected with FASD/ARND being placed in residential group care settings.
The children, youth, and young adults who are affected are very hard to serve. They are often misdiagnosed or have dual diagnoses, escaping early detection for FASD — the primary disability. They are seen as failures in many systems including education, mental health, and justice.
Developing an alternative specialized program designed for those with FASD is a proactive approach in response to the growing population of children and youth being admitted into the foster care system.
OUR APPROACH TO FASD SUPPORT
We believe that a safe and stable placement within a family home environment is the number one protective factor for children, youth, and young adults affected by FASD in preventing multiple placement changes.
Our model and method of serving the FASD population involves intensive support services including:
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Annual FASD training and ongoing development for Foster Parents
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Individualized and group case consultation
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One-to-one services and customization of the FASD Care Plan (e.g. skilled professional support staff in home, school or community; Educational Development Workers; planned respite services and emergency relief; additional support services consisting of transportation services and recreational programming)
Bridgeway is committed to caring for Foster Children, Youth and Young Adults with FASD/ARND.
Our clinical team provides consultations and works closely in supporting our Foster Parents.
FASD CONSULTATIONS AIM TO:
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STRENGTHEN THE INTERACTIONS OF THE ENTIRE FOSTER FAMILY including biological children, other family members, and other foster siblings within the home.
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PROVIDE FOSTER PARENTS WITH TECHNIQUES that will increase their ability to adapt, cope, and respond to a child, youth, or young adult affected with FASD/ARND.
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COORDINATE, SUPERVISE, AND SUPPORT FOSTER PARENTS in making environmental accommodations and enhancing the family home to respond to the unique needs of those affected by FASD (hypersensitivity, hyposensitivity, gross and fine motor challenges, cognitive cues, etc.).
OUR GOALS FOR FASD PLACEMENTS
1. EQUIP AND SUPPORT Foster Parents and their families.
2. CUSTOMIZE support for the caregivers is critical to achieve and maintain placement stability.
3. ADVOCATE for early diagnosis and appropriate resources.
4. PREVENT secondary conditions (problems that can occur as a result of the primary disability, e.g. placement disruptions, issues at school, substance abuse, violent and threatening behaviour, inappropriate sexual behaviour, trouble with the law, mental health issues, joblessness, and homelessness).
5. PROMOTE planning for lifelong relationships and supports for youth with FASD into adulthood.