Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq Mainland Mi’kmaq Community Coordinator- FASD Project

Communities Acadia First Nation Annapolis Valley First Nation Bear River First Nation Glooscap First Nation Indianbrook First Nation Millbrook First Nation Paqtnkek First Nation Pictou Landing First Nation

Goals of the project Coordinate and provide support for people with Neurodevelopmental conditions, including FASD, and their families by providing family- centered identification and intervention services To work with others to develop a comprehensive Early Identification and Intervention system of support services for children birth to six with Neurodevelopmental conditions, including FASD and their families To centralize resources on FASD in Health Centers and to share information with the communities

Mandate To work with others to make life better for people living with Neurodevelopmental conditions, including FASD, and their families and communities.

Activities in the Last two years Workshops were held on healthy lifestyles, teen health and developmental work shops by the Maternal Child Health Coordinator. Integrated some of our work with the NAYSPS to talk to youth about alcohol misuse and abuse and the associated issues such as unwanted pregnancies and impacting the health development of the unborn baby. Mainland Mi’kmaq Community Coordinator was hired. Meeting with each community to see what they needed from coordinator. Presentation on screening and FASD given to communities as requested Work with Daycares around screening and referrals that may be needed Data base of the information on Neurodevelopmental conditions, including FASD was made and regularly updated Ask community what they need to be able to support individuals with Neurodevelopmental Conditions, including FASD. Advocating for families and helping them navigate the path to finding the services needed. Finding the answers to questions the community has on issues dealing with Neurodevelopmental conditions including FASD.

Early Intervention Confirmation from the province was given stating that First Nations living on Reserve will have access to Early Intervention services. Meeting called “meet, greet and share” was hosted by the CMM on March 9 th 2011 for First Nations community workers ( health directors, Daycare staff, ASHOR) and Early intervention programs. Map of Early Intervention program boundaries was created that had the First Nation communities on it for a reference.

Partnerships In communities Maternal Child Health workers Community Health Nurses Health Directors Daycare staff ASHOR staff NADACA workers

Out of community Early Intervention Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centre DHA Child and Youth Mental Health

Plans we have Screening days are being held in communities they will work in (population, need, etc). Partnerships with Early Intervention, and other professionals. Goal is to have some form of screening done annually in children under 5 in the communities that feel they need it. Collect data on wait times for services used by Individuals with Neurodevelopmental conditions including FASD and their families. Act as a resource for Daycare, preschools and schools and communities if issues arise on Neurodevelopmental conditions, including FASD. Act as a resource for individuals, families and community workers who are dealing with youth or Adults with Neurodevelopmental conditions, including FASD.

Challenges Wait lists for Early intervention services Relationship building between outside agencies and the communities (EI etc) Province still isn't completely clear about what their responsibilities are Waitlist for most programs ( NSHSC, C&Y mental Health ) Community based capacity to support families needs to be built Resources and training on Neurodevelopmental conditions including FASD to support Teachers/ Education Assistance at both daycare and school level in the community. Finding a coordinator with the appropriate background and ability to interface with communities Province telling Early Intervention programs to contact community and make their own introductions and this not being done till someone from community or MMCC make the first contact.

What makes this program successful Having a coordinator that is dedicated to the FASD project Working with MCH home visitors in the community Community workers are very keen and ready to work with the coordinator to get support and services for the families in the communities. Jurisdictional clarification from the province on Who provides Early Intervention Services