Target audience

The target audience for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Coordination Services is FASD Coordinators and community partners who support children/youth who are or may be living with FASD, as well as their families/support networks.

Purpose of guidelines

These guidelines seek to:

  • Outline the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ (MCCSS) expectations of Coordinating Agencies and FASD Coordinators in delivering FASD Coordination Services.
  • Improve access to and delivery of FASD Coordination Services, including improved family experience with, and functional outcomes from FASD Coordination Services.
  • Promote FASD-informed, child-and-family-centred, strengths-based, trauma-informed, equitable, and culturally safer services.
  • Enable consistency of services for families/support networks across the province, while maintaining flexibility that enables local cross-sector partners to innovate and respond to individual circumstances.

The guidelines support FASD local cross-sector partners in fulfilling their essential roles within a coordinated system of early identification and intervention services that:

  • Centres children/youth and their family/support network in service planning and delivery.
  • Supports optimal development of children/youth.
  • Aims to ensure seamless connections and transitions throughout the FASD Coordination Services experience.

Glossary

Birthing Parent/Mother
Not all individuals who give birth identify as women. These guidelines refer to these individuals as either the birthing parent or mother.
Coordinated Service Plan
A written document that outlines the needs, goals and services for a child/youth with complex special needs and their family/support network, as well as all local cross-sector partners involved in their care. The coordinated service plan is monitored by the Service Planning Coordinator and is intended to be a living document that evolves as the child/youth’s needs and goals change.
Coordinated Service Planning (CSP)
A program delivered by Coordinating Agencies to support children/youth with multiple and/or complex special needs in accordance with the Coordinated Service Planning Policy and Program Guidelines. Service Planning Coordinators work with families/support networks and other local cross-sector partners to coordinate services for the child/youth through a single Coordinated Service Plan.
Coordinating Agency
An organization accountable to MCCSS for the delivery of FASD Coordination Services and CSP. For a map of the geographical delivery areas please see Appendix A.
Coordinated Service Planning Providers (CSP Providers)
Agencies or organizations that operate as part of a Coordinating Agency’s network and employ Service Planning Coordinators within a service delivery area.
Equitable and Culturally Safer
Intentional, ongoing efforts to reduce systemic barriers and biases, discrimination, and oppression to ensure individuals from diverse backgrounds feel respected and safe to express their full identities.
Equity-Deserving Groups
Communities and individuals who may experience significant barriers to equal participation in society due to historical systemic discrimination and marginalization. These groups are recognized as deserving of equitable treatment and opportunities to address the disparities they may experience.
Families/Support Networks
All family members or caregivers who are regularly involved in the child/youth’s life and care.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
A diagnostic term used to describe the health effects on the brain and body of individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol.
FASD Coordinator
A provider who supports children/youth and their family/support network by delivering FASD-informed service navigation and coordination across sectors.
FASD Service Plan
A written document based on a standard template (Appendix B), that outlines the needs, goals and services for children/youth who are or may be living with FASD and their family/support network, as well as all local cross-sector partners involved in their care. The FASD Service Plan is monitored by the FASD Coordinator and is intended to be a living document that evolves as the needs and goals of the child/youth change.
FASD Coordination Services
Services delivered by Coordinating Agencies to support children/youth who are or may be living with FASD and their family/support network. FASD Coordinators work with the child/youth, their family/support network, and other local cross-sector partners to coordinate FASD-informed services.
Local Cross-Sector Partners
Service providers and agencies that deliver community, health, youth justice and education services.
Tiered Service Model
An evidence-based approach to service delivery that ensures clients access the right level of service at the right time for their diverse and changing levels of need.
Warm Referral
A seamless, collaborative and supported connection of a child/youth and/or their family/support network from one service provider to another, reducing the need for them to repeat their story.
Youth
Individuals up to 21 years of age who are eligible for FASD Coordination Services.
Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) Youth
16- and 17-year-olds receiving services pursuant to a written agreement with a children’s aid society under Section 77 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017.