Welcome to Skagit County

November 4th, 2005

SKAGIT COUNTY RECEIVES $324,972 ANNUAL GRANT TO ADDRESS FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS

SKAGIT COUNTY –The Skagit County Department of Youth and Family Services recently received $324,972 of annual funding from the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) to screen, diagnose, and provide appropriate services for juveniles experiencing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Court involved youth, as well as youth at imminent risk for Court involvement, will be served by the project. Skagit County is one of only five Juvenile Court programs nationally that has been selected to implement this service development program.

“We are very pleased to receive this award,” said Youth and Family Service Director Nancy Brown. “Our intent is to develop a model of service that can be of meaningful assistance to these youth and families served by our department.”

According to Brown, research indicates that 60 percent of youth with FASD become involved in difficulties that bring them to the attention of the juvenile justice system. Many of these youth have not received the help they need to keep them from further law enforcement and court involvement.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are the most frequent cause of mental retardation. Each year, more than 400,000 babies are born in the United States with FASD, costing the nation more than $4 billion.

For further information, contact: Bob Hicks
360-336-9329