On June 24th, the Advancing FASD Research, Services, and Prevention Act, also known as the FASD Respect Act, was introduced to Congress by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Representative Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota). If passed, the FASD Respect Act would make funding available to state, tribal, and local governments as well as nonprofit organizations across the United States. It would also mandate the creation of new positions in the federal government to address FASD and direct the Department of Education and the Department of Justice, among others, to create new trainings and advisory groups so that teachers, legal officials, and others, be better able to address the needs of those with FASD. In short, this bill could have an enormous impact on the lives of those with FASD and their loved ones.
To learn more, you can listen to this episode of the FASD Hope podcast, which includes a discussion with Susan Shepard Carlson and Jennifer Wisdahl, who have been spearheading the national effort to bring the FASD Respect Act to the legislators’ attention. You can also watch or listen to this discussion by Orchids members from this month on the effects of the bill. More information and resources on the FASD Respect Act can also be found in the “FASD Respect Act” tab of the Orchids website.
