Translating Research into Action: Federal and State Initiatives

Basic research into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is contributing much important information to our understanding of the dynamics of how alcohol affects developing neurological and physiological systems in unborn children. Clinical research is beginning to offer guidelines for intervention, treatment and services for women who may abuse alcohol and to children who are affected by prenatal exposures. It is equally important that, when the findings of research reach the point of utility, they be put into practice as standards of care. While the types and availability of services vary among states, most jurisdictions do support systems that can provide services and treatment to these populations. The purpose of this chapter is fourfold: 1. Provide an overview of the work that has been undertaken by federal agencies and associated task forces to develop innovative interventions and to encourage and reinforce the implementation of services on the state level; 2. Describe the service components that are generally available in each state; 3. Provide a description of service models that have been established or are evolving on the state level; and 4. Describe the role of voluntary agencies in the non-profit sector in establishing service systems for persons with FASD.