Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association
Mick & Seth Russell
The Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association (rffada) is a not-for-profit health promotion charity dedicated to ensuring that individuals affected prenatally by alcohol have access to diagnostic services, support and multidisciplinary management planning in Australia and that carers and parents are supported with a "no blame no shame" ethos.
FASD News
14 December 2007
NOFASARD and the Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association have teamed up on a new campaign to educate Australians about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Unfortunately some people at the current time are still not aware that alcohol and pregnancy simply don't mix... and if you are considering pregnancy or are pregnant no alcohol is the best and safest choice for your unborn baby. The new FASD education campaign aims to show all Australians why alcohol and pregnancy don't mix. It's estimated as many as 1 in 100 newborn babies may be born with the effects of FASD. The key is to arm yourself with information - and that's very much what this new campaign is about. Decide for yourself.
3 December 2007
Today NOFASARD and the RFFADA launched a media campaign with the assistance of Ross Woodward from Media Key. For the first time in the history of Australia, the acronym FASD has been heard on almost every major radio station and television station and read in almost every major paper. It was the intention of the three organisations to achieve two primary objectives:
- to call for action from the federal and state and territory governments regarding the establishment of diagnostic and support clinics in at least every major centre in Australia
- to give women and their partners information on alcohol and pregnancy that they may not have had before so that they can make an informed decision about whether to use alcohol in pregnancy
These two objectives were achieved beyond our wildest dreams. Particular thanks go to – Sonia Berton; Sue Miers; Ross Woodward; John Eyre; Martin; Debbie; Vicki; Danielle, Lyndall and especially Seth and Hayley Russell who came all the way from Mackay to support Seth's mother Elizabeth. Thanks also go to two prominent people in our legal system and drug and alcohol services.
21 November 2007
Download the rffada membership form here
11 November 2007
No Blame No Shame
A seminar and networking lunch in which three international guests will speak from a wealth of practice experience on identifying and supporting people with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
"Defending clients with FASD" – David Boulding
David is a Canadian barrister with over twenty years of experience in the criminal justice system, and author of a number of articles.
"Closing The Revolving Door" – Anthony Wartnik
Anthony is a former Superior Court Judge who has been an advocate for early detection and appropriate interventions for sufferers of FASD.
"Support Needs for People with FASD" – Katherine Kelly
Katherine is Project Director of the FASD Legal Issues Resource Centre in Washington.
8.45am to 1.45pm Friday 7th December 2007
The Salvation Army828 Sydney Road
North Coburg
(Undercroft parking off Headley Street at the rear of the building)
Morning tea and lunch is provided free-of-charge
To register phone or email Celine on (03) 9521 2770 celine.fernandesz@aus.salvationarmy.org before COB Wednesday 5th December 2007
1 October 2007
FASD Brochures available for download below
17 September 2007
NOFASARD have developed a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder checklist. Whilst the checklist does not constitute a diagnostic instrument, it is intended to increase the awareness of what remains an increasingly prevalent, often misdiagnosed and devastating condition in Australia.
rffada News and Events
3 December 2007
Today a large scale media campaign was launched to raise FASD awareness.
See FASD News (left) for details.
29 October 2007
The rffada has just been endorsed as a health promotion charity and has been granted tax concession status. Any donations to the rffada are tax deductible.
The rffada is now incorporated and has an ABN. It will shortly be making application
for funding to support for one of the many objectives it has in conjunction with the National Organisation for
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders (NOFASARD).
All organisations are dedicated to the education, support, diagnosis and management of FASD.
In time the rffada hopes to have a Counselling and Support Telephone Service for people to ring 24/7 for information about FASD and counselling in relation to a loved one with the condition. It will be called the FASD Help Line and will be established in conjunction with RFFADA partners NOFASARD.