Press Release: Community Summit to Focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2010
Contact: Emma Washington
(850) 386-9100, ewashington@rboa.com
Community Summit to Focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Every year, an estimated 40,000 babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), an umbrella term describing the range of effects – including physical, mental and behavioral disabilities – that can be caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. FASD affects more babies than autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida and sudden infant death syndrome combined, yet it is 100 percent preventable. On Oct. 20 and 21, advocates and activists from throughout Florida will convene in Tallahassee to address this growing public-health issue.
Health care providers, community partners, association executives, parents and others are expected to participate in the inaugural Florida Fights FASD Community-Action Summit at the Tallahassee Community College Capitol Center. The summit program will include presentations by expert speakers, panel discussions and brainstorming sessions among attendees.
“The goal of the summit is to ignite ’torchbearers’ for the cause to serve as community advocates and take FASD prevention activities and awareness messages back to their local communities,” said Debra Dowds, executive director of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC), sponsor of the summit.
The summit is an integral part of a statewide public awareness campaign, titled “Florida Fights FASD,” that has been launched to engage and educate Floridians about the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and reduce the number of children born with FASD in Florida. The campaign is sponsored by the FDDC.
The summit is free of charge and includes breakfast and lunch. Attendance is limited to 75 participants. To review the complete program schedule and to register visit www.fasd-fl.org and click on the “Summit 2010” tab. For questions, contact Emma Washington at (850) 386-9100 or ewashington@rboa.com.
The mission of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. is to advocate and promote meaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with developmental disabilities. To learn more about the FDDC, visit www.fddc.org or call toll-free1-800-580-7801.
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This campaign was developed by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council with funding from the United States Department of Health and Human Services and Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Any reference herein to any specific commercial products, processes, or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not state or reflect those of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
