4Keeps Presents the 2012 Speaker Series
Sponsored by MOFAS, the State of Minnesota and Anoka County

Saturday, March 10
10:30AM – 12:30PM Presentations
12:30PM – 2:00PM Lunch and New Friendships

Coon Rapids Middle School
11600 Raven Street NW
Coon Rapids, MN

Topic: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) – Reasons Not Excuses
Children with FASD often struggle with learning and behavioral challenges. This workshop will explore the connection between brain impairment and behavior in order to help caregivers and professionals develop more effective intervention strategies. Participants will learn the importance of helping the person with FASD learn about their disability and the reasons (not excuses!) why they struggle.

Presenter: Kari Fletcher
Kari Fletcher works for the Adoption Support Network of Minnesota, providing phone, in person and e-mail support to adoptive parents. She previously served as a trainer and southern MN regional resource coordinator for families for the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS). Kari is passionate about educating others about this disability and has been training parents and professionals in Minnesota and nationally since 2005. Kari and her husband Mike were awarded the congressional Angels in Adoption award in 2009 for their commitment to adoption and children in care. Kari and her husband Mike have six children, four “homemade” and two adopted from the foster care system. Kari and Mike were licensed foster parents for 16 years in Blue Earth County and the two children they adopted both have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Please RSVP to Nancy Le at (763)422-7104 or nancy.le@co.anoka.mn.us or to Mary Walker at mneebwalker@yahoo.com