Announcements

Recovering Hope Video

A video, "Recovering Hope: Mothers Speak Out About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders," features a series of women who tell poignant and memorable stories about alcohol use during pregnancy and its effect on their children. Their experiences are supported by expert clinicians and researchers who talk about disabilities associated with FASD and evaluation and intervention services. The hour-long video is divided into two half-hour segments to allow discussion time within treatment sessions. The video package includes a brochure for counselors or facilitators to read in preparing to show and talk about the video, and a second brochure to distribute to women to keep as a reference after viewing and discussing the video.

"SAMHSA data show that of the estimated 2.4 million women currently pregnant, 238,000 drank alcohol in the past month," SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie notes. "SAMHSA funds the FASD Center for Excellence and other prevention programs to work toward the day that no woman who is pregnant will endanger her baby by consuming alcohol."

The materials were developed by SAMHSA's FASD Center for Excellence in response to a congressional mandate in Section 519D of the Children's Health Act of 2000 to develop innovative techniques for preventing alcohol use by women during pregnancy. The need for educational materials for providers and their clients was identified by a series of 17 regional town hall meetings on FASD. Many additional audiences may also benefit from these materials, including members of support groups for women who have completed treatment and other women who are at high risk for alcohol-affected pregnancies.

In-depth interviews with mothers of children with an FASD and substance abuse treatment counselors further specified the need for the video and companion brochures. Both groups revealed that they lack basic information about FASD, its prevention, its consequences, and what can be done to evaluate and support children who are affected.

Copies of "Recovering Hope" are available for $12.50 from SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) at 800-729-6686 or visit www.store.samhsa.gov/.