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FASD Initiative 17 th Judicial District Adams County Colorado. FASD Identification And Intervention. FASD Screening Plan. November 2005: Truancy Court January 2006: Delinquency Court September 2006: Child Protection Court “Dependency & Neglect” Phase in from 9/2006 through 4/2007.
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FASD Initiative17th Judicial DistrictAdams County Colorado FASD Identification And Intervention
FASD Screening Plan • November 2005: Truancy Court • January 2006: Delinquency Court • September 2006: Child Protection Court • “Dependency & Neglect” • Phase in from 9/2006 through 4/2007
FASD Diagnostic Team • Existing Diagnostic & Evaluation Team • Sewall Child Development Center • Team Includes: • Developmental Pediatrician • Clinical Psychologist • Occupational or Physical Therapist • Speech Therapist
TRUANCY COURT • Court doesn’t have jurisdiction to court-order the screen – so screen is voluntary for parents. • November – questions mixed with the truancy intake: • 6 intakes in 3 weeks • 2 positives (30%) • December – our questions moved to a separate intake sheet: • 4 intakes in 4.5 months • 4 positives (100%)
TRUANCY COURT • 4 have completed the diagnostic process • 1 positive for FAS • 2 have neurocognitive issues, but the diagnostic team believes they are genetic – these will probably be included as FASD under the 4-digit code • 1 received no diagnosis
Lessons - Truancy • We expected the 8 school districts to be a challenge. • The diagnostic team goes to their facilities • Teachers, counselors, etc. can attend feedback sessions. • This seems to win over the school personnel. • The staff who work directly with the children are very supportive of our project.
DELINQUENCY COURT • All probation officers were trained by Diane Malbin in issues of FASD. • The FASD team later trained them on screening techniques including interview and taking facial pictures. Included a review of FASD basics. • Clear communication established between Probation Office and FASD Team
DELINQUENCY COURT • “FASD Screen and Recommended Treatment Ordered” stamped on Pre-sentence Investigation (PSI) Orders, Probation Orders and Conditions of Probation. • The court clerks make sure that the judge or magistrate remembers to order the screen. • Probation Officers (including PSI Investigators) include the screening questions in their intake interview and take the facial picture – email the results to the FASD team.
DELINQUENCY COURT • Process takes about a month from order to receipt of the information by the FASD team. • FASD team runs the facial software, documents information on the child, and checks legal history of mother for indicators of alcohol and drug use. • When screens are positive, FASD Intervention Specialist contacts family and goes to the home to establish relationship and begin data collection for the evaluation.
DELINQUENCY COURT • Diagnostic team is notified of child “in the pipeline” • FASD team collects birth and medical records, IEP information (esp. test results), and any evaluations, etc. that are available • When information is gathered, youth is scheduled for evaluation. • 4 hour evaluation – at or near child’s home/school when possible
DELINQUENCY COURT • Brief feedback session for parents, FASD staff, P.O., school personnel, etc. • Extensive written report within 30 days. • FASD staff work with family, school, P.O., etc. to teach them how to intervene for child
DELINQUENCY COURT • Parents are invited to FASD Parent Support Group and offered further training. • If completed in time, results of the evaluation may be included in the PSI report. This timeline is difficult to meet. • P.O.s are very receptive to modifying probation plans to accommodate the youth • Adult DUI officers are now taking FASD training and requesting screening training.
DELINQUENCY COURT • 100 probation youth screened through April 21, 2006 • 28 positive screens (28%) • One diagnostic evaluation completed on this group. It was positive for an FASD. • One delinquent youth ID’d by the judge diagnosed with an FASD. FASD Team is working with parents, school & P.O.
DELINQUENCY COURTLESSONS LEARNED • We suspect false negatives on screening. • P.O.’s vary in the information they obtain. • Screen is done on the first contact – no relationship built. • P.O.’s only see youth monthly. • This system should be able to perpetuate screening if diagnostics are available. • Need to develop more ongoing support systems and continue ongoing training.
DEPENDENCY COURT • 7 children have been referred by the court • 2 have screened positive, but not been diagnosed with an FASD. These may also be included under 4-digit code. • The other five are siblings and the screening is not complete yet • Broad screening will begin in September 2006 – initially for youngest children.
People trained: P.O’s Supervisors Caseworkers Therapists School personnel Foster parents Residential Care Providers CASA workers Parents Health Dept Court personnel INITIAL OUTCOMES
INITIAL OUTCOMES • Awareness of FASD is beginning to permeate the county professionals. • Our training is broad because of need for ongoing intervention in all parts of the children’s lives. • It’s clear that the broader community still sees FASD as a stigma for the mother.
A WORK IN PROGRESS Check in Next Year
