Click on any region on the map of Minnesota to go to a listing of resources and services available in that area.
northwest northeast central southwest metro southeast
Northwest, Northeast, Central, Metro, Southwest. Southeast
New to MOFAS and FASD?
Check out the most Frequently Asked Questions!

*Please scroll down for information on current trainings.*

Services and resources listed include, but are not limited to:
• Diagnosis of FASD
• Support Groups
• Advocacy Education
• Educational Information
• Psychiatric/Psychological Services
• Adoption Information

Additional Resources:
• Links to Statewide Resources
• Links to National/Web-Based Resources
• Links to Books and Videos
• Links to Articles & Handouts
• Links to Mother's Heart Articles

MOFAS is in the process of developing a statewide resource listing in order to better serve individuals and families affected by FASD. If you are a service provider and are interested in being a part of this please contact us.

MOFAS offers a variety of trainings throughout the year. We will be adding more trainings to this page as they become available, so check back often!

MOFAS staff does provide training to individual groups of professionals or educators. Please contact us for more information.


Nurtured Heart Training

Description: The Nurtured Heart Approach is more than just parenting or behavioral management strategy. It is a philosophy for creating healthy relationships with your children by energizing successes and creating clear and consistent boundaries. Please join us on the journey of developing the "inner wealth" all children need in order to assist them in making positive choices rather than negative ones.

NEW Dates:
Thursdays
February 12th, 19th, 26th
March 5th
Time:
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location:
Children's Home Society & Family Services
1605 Eustis Street
St. Paul, MN 55108

Cost: $75.00/person or $125.00 with a partner or friend

To Register: Contact Annie Matzke at 651-255-2369 or amatzke@chsfs.org.


2009 Speaker Series

Description: 4 Keeps Presents the free 2009 Speaker Series, with special thanks to the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS), Minnesota Adoption Support and Preservation (MNASAP) and Anoka County.

Dates:
Saturdays
February 21, 2009
March 21, 2009
April 18, 2009
May 16, 2009
June 20, 2009
Time:
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., speaker & questions
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., lunch
Location:
Coon Rapids Middle School
11600 Raven Street NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
Limited Childcare Provided

February: Grief/Loss - 7 Core Issues of Adoption
Jae Ran Kim, PH.D. candidate, UofM School of Social Work, Wendylee Raun, Training Coordinator, MNASAP, and Peg Studaker, Supervisor, Waiting International Child Program at CHSFS.
All families are touched by the issues of grief in loss with adoption. Meet with this panel of adoption savvy trainers who are living the life of adoption and sharing their experience with the 7 Core Issues of Adoption.

March: Advocating for Children in Schools
Bonnie Jean Smith, Author and Advocate, Parent Trainer at Pacer Center.
Ms. Smith will discuss ways to advocate for your child in the school setting. This will include advice on Individual Education Plans, 504 plans and behavioral and emotional issues.

April: Reactive Attachment Disorder, Changes in Parenting
Krista Nelson, LICSW, LMFT, Project Coordinator at Wilder Center for Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder
This discussion will help clarify the shift that attachment focused therapies have undergone in the last 5 years and how to help your family to think differently about “attachment informed” parenting. Discussion will also include techniques to help your children regulate emotions.

May: FASD, Now What?
Kari Fletcher, Regional Resource Coordinator for MOFAS in Southern Minnesota
Kari and her husband have six children, 4 “homemade” and 2 adopted. Both of their adopted children have been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Kari is passionate about educating others about FASD.

June: Transforming the Challenging Child: The Nurtured Heart Approach
Kelly Monson, MA Ed, CFLE, ECCS Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Health
Ever wonder why typical parenting and teaching techniques are ineffective? Learn ways to bring about real changes. The approach is used with FASD, ADHD, ODD, autism or any child, ages 2-18.
PLEASE NOTE: Location: Anoka County Government Center, 2100 3rd Avenue, Fifth Floor, Anoka, MN 55303

To Register: Contact Nancy Le at 763-422-7104 or nancy.le@co.anoka.mn.us. Please indicate which date(s) you are attending and if any childcare is needed.


Family Seminar Series - Part 1

Description: This six-part series is designed for parents and caregivers. This series introduces the basics of FASD, looks at managing FASD in the home and school environment and how to build strong families.

Dates:
Wednesdays
January 28th
February 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th
Time:
5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., light supper
6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m., speaker
8:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., small group
Location:
Children's Home Society & Family Services
Toogood Building
2230 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108

Cost: $40.00/person or $60.00/couple (covers meals, materials, and speakers)
Scholarships available-please check box on registration form. If you adopted a ward of the state from MN, you are eligible to attend the training for free.

Click here to register.


Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Trainings

Description: If you are a PCA and want Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) training please choose one or more of the following:

All Children Flourishing: The Nurtured Heart Experience - Please see listing on this page for more information.

HaysKids: Pathways to Understanding: Raising Kids with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - For a free copy of this DVD contact Jenn Feiges at 651-917-2370 or jenn@mofas.org.

Community Trainings – There are community/agency trainings that are sometimes open to the public. For additional information contact MaryAnn Bernard at maryann@mofas.org.


Family Seminar Series - Part 2

Description: This six-part series is designed for parents and caregivers who have completed Family Seminar Series - Part 1, or who have a basic knowledge of FASD. More in-depth information on a variety of topics will be presented. This is a five-part series and you must attend all five sessions.

Topics covered include: mental health, behavioral challenges, living with FASD, medications, safety and boundary issues and developing support.

Dates:
Fall 2009
TBD
Time:
5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., light supper
6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m., speaker
8:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., small group
Location: TBA

Cost: $40.00/person or $60.00/couple (covers meals, materials, and speakers)
Scholarships available-please check box on registration form. If you adopted a ward of the state from MN, you are eligible to attend the training for free.

Click here to register.


Caregiver's Circle

Description: In collaboration with the Native American Community Clinic, MOFAS sponsors a bi-monthly support group for caregivers of children with FASD. MOFAS staff members facilitate this group.
Dates: 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month
Location: Minneapolis American Indian Center
1530 East Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Contact: Call Sierra Yazzie at MOFAS if you would like to participate, 651-917-2370.


Parent Advocacy Workshop

Description: FASD is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behaviors and learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. This 3 hour workshop will give participants an understanding of the challenges common with FASD.

Participants will gain a better understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and learn strategies to help affected individuals be more successful in the home and classroom.

Please contact MaryAnn Bernard at MOFAS, maryann@mofas.org, if you would like to host a Parent Advocacy Workshop in your community.


Family Seminar Series - Selected Topics

Description: This four-part series is new to MOFAS! Some of the discussed topics may include:

Week One: FASD Meets Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
Week Two: Updates on IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Week Three: Anger & Stress Effects on Families
Week Four: Spiritual Resiliency

You do not need to have taken Part 1 or Part 2 to take this series.
Dates: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Cost: $40.00/person or $60.00/couple (covers meals, materials, and speakers)
Scholarships available-please check box on registration form.