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Washington Expands Support for Children and Families Impacted by FASD: A Milestone for the FASDPN
Washington State recently took a major step to expand services for children and families impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and other prenatal substance exposures. The new legislation, Second Substitute House Bill 1168, provides funding to increase diagnostic and treatment services statewide. This effort aims to ensure children receive appropriate care earlier and families have access to the support they need.
The Washington Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic and Prevention Network (FASDPN) part of the UW IHDD, has been at the forefront of FASD care and research since 1993 through CDC and legislative support (Senate Bill 5688). The network, directed by Dr. Susan Hemingway, a Professor of Epidemiology and Pediatrics at UW, provides comprehensive diagnostic services and intervention recommendations to support children and families across the state. The FASDPN uses an interdisciplinary approach, integrating specialists in medicine, psychology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and epidemiology to create individualized care plans.
The passing of Second Substitute House Bill 1168 builds on these foundational efforts by increasing Washington’s capacity to diagnose and treat children impacted by prenatal substance exposure. The bill provides funding to add new diagnostic teams and treatment programs, with an emphasis on reaching children and families involved in the child welfare system, who often face additional barriers to accessing care.
The expanded resources will allow the FASDPN to reach more children and families, improving early intervention efforts and ensuring that families receive comprehensive support services. The new funding will also enable the network to collaborate with other providers, expanding access to trauma-informed care, educational advocacy, and behavioral health counseling.
For more information about the FASDPN and its services at the IHDD, click here.
