The work plan for Year One has been developed by MOFAS staff in consultation with the staff from the Minnesota Department of Health. Many revisions have been made as feedback was gathered from the Statewide FASD Advisory Committee with final approval from the MOFAS Board of Directors.
The first year plan is only the first step in developing and implementing a comprehensive FASD plan in Minnesota. Critical partners include: 1) all families and caregivers living with FASD including populations of color and American Indians, 2) tribal governments and 3) multidisciplinary array of the many professionals involved in this work. A strong emphasis will be on the inclusion of these family/caregiver partners, their cultural norms, and the strengths of each community.
The work during the first year of the initiative has been focused on transition, planning and development of the organizational and administrative components and implementation. Much progress has been made:
• The FASD Statewide Initiative Advisory Committee was recruited and has met four times in the first year to guide the development of the project;
• The Diagnostic Work Group, comprised of professionals involved in a variety of aspects of diagnosis from around the state, has convened and recommended the development of a Diagnostic Consortium. The focus of the Consortium is to develop consensus around diagnostic protocol and train diagnostic teams throughout the state;
• The Intervention and Family Support Work Group, comprised of parents and professionals, has identified three priority areas for the focus of this work. Family support systems, resource development and referral and transition programming for 14-21 year olds are the three areas of priority;
• MOFAS held community meetings in Mankato, Bemidji and St. Paul. Over 200 community members attended representing parents and professionals. The community meetings were an outstanding "first step" to build community awareness and readiness for addressing the need for prevention, intervention and diagnostic services;
• MOFAS is working with PDA, Professional Data Analysts, to develop an evaluation plan and funding philosophy for the community grant program.
