Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the number one most preventable cause of mental retardation. FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. Each year in the U.S., as many as 40,000 babies are born with an FASD. The cost to the nation for FAS alone is about $6 billion a year.

The Arc of Mecklenburg County, along with Anuvia and the Center for Prevention Services are proud to be charter members of the FASD Committee of Mecklenburg, which started in 2004. Together we continue to build awareness and educate the public about FASD.

Our prevention projects include training at-risk populations about FASD, providing educational materials to professionals about FASD, and bringing public awareness around FASD to the community through media, such as newspaper ads and billboards. We have received grant monies from the ABC Board of Mecklenburg County, March of Dimes, and the NC Healthy Start Foundation to fund these efforts. In September 2007 we also held the first FASD Conference in Charlotte featuring speakers from all over the country.

If you would like more information about the FASD prevention project or to schedule training for your group, please contact Lauren at 704-332-4535 ext. 102 or lauren@arcmeck.org.