In the spring of 2002 the committee was approved for funding for a conference. Becoming a non-profit registered charity was the route chosen by the committee. In May 2003, the Northwest Regional Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Society became a legal entity and the voice in the north for caregivers and individuals around FASD. Now plans for training the diagnostic team began. The training was done by the Lakeland Centre for FASD using the Seattle model of diagnostics. Collaboration with the surrounding communities, children’s services, education and health began in earnest. Once funding was established and training was completed, the NWR FASD Society held its first Diagnostic clinic in the spring of 2003 under the coordination of Colleen Burns. Clinics continued until 2006, when funding became increasing difficult to get.
In the fall of 2006, the Society began advocating for either CFSA or Health to take responsibility for the FASD Diagnostic Clinics in the Mackenzie Region. The Northwestern Health Region CEO, Bernie Blais, agreed to fund the coordination of the FASD clinic within the High Level hospital.
In the fall of 2006, the Society began advocating for either CFSA or Health to take responsibility for the FASD Diagnostic Clinics in the Mackenzie Region. The Northwestern Health Region CEO, Bernie Blais, agreed to fund the coordination of the FASD clinic within the High Level hospital.
In the fall of 2006, the Society began advocating for either CFSA or Health to take responsibility for the FASD Diagnostic Clinics in the Mackenzie Region. The Northwestern Health Region CEO, Bernie Blais, agreed to fund the coordination of the FASD clinic within the High Level hospital.
Overcoming obstacles such as changes in health region, changes in coordinators, and funding clarification the Northwestern Primary Care Network began FASD clinics in earnest in the spring of 2009. Collaboration with the NWR FASD Society-Mackenzie Network and the NW Primary Care Network resulted in Youth FASD clinics once again being offered in the Mackenzie Region.
The FASD coordinator position was funded under Mental Health, but the clinic was run under the umbrellas of the PCN Youth and Complex Needs Coordinator, with funding for the pediatrician and neuropsych covered by the FASD Society with FASD Network, education and CYS funding. The Speech assessment was covered through the hospital. Collaboration among stakeholders in the Mackenzie region proved to be at the heart of the success of the PCN FASD clinics.
In the fall of 2010, AHS Mental Health withdrew the coordinator funding and position. Again through collaboration and advocating, the Northwest Primary Care Network once again stepped forward and agreed to fund the FASD youth clinics to a maximum of 24 until March of 2012.
In 2011 the Northwest Primary Care Network continued to fund the FASD Diagnostic Youth Clinic, with clinic coordination for the last 7 months being done by the NWR FASD Society – Mackenzie Network until a clinic coordinator can be hired. The SLP and OT assessments are covered by AHS. The local Diagnostic Team consists of pediatrician, neuropsych, SLP, OT, CFSA, Fort Vermilion School Division, NWR FASD Society, justice and support from the NW Primary Care Network.