Welcome to Skagit County

May 24th, 2005

SKAGIT COUNTY YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES RECEIVES GRANT TO ADDRESS FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Department of Youth and Family Services has received a grant from the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Center (FASD) for Excellence for a grant to develop a model program to identify, diagnose, and treat juveniles with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. “We were pleased to learn that our proposal was one of five that were selected for funding from proposals submitted by juvenile court systems from across the nation.” Said Jere LaFollette, Department Resource Manager.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term that describes the range of effects that occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral and/or learning disabilities with lifelong implications.

Due to the nature of these disorders however, many of these youth may not be recognized or appropriately diagnosed and may not benefit from more traditional juvenile justice strategies promoting accountability and rehabilitation.

“Our project is directed toward the goal of building the capacity of the Department of Youth and Family Services to identify and provide appropriate interventions for juveniles with FASD,” said LaFollette. “In conducting this project we are working with the nationally recognized FASD Diagnostic and Prevention Network and Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit of the University of Washington.

For further information, contact:

Jere LaFollette, Resource Manager
Department of Youth and Family Services
360 419 3316
jerel@co.skagit.wa.us