The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Homelessness Project: Making Connections for Promising Practice

The focus of this brief paper is to describe a current research project exploring the lived experiences of individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) who are supported by the homeless-serving sector in Calgary, Alberta. Individuals with FASD are considered vulnerable due to their disability, which often goes unrecognized and thus viewed as social, emotional and behavioral challenges. It is widely known that individuals with FASD face challenges as a result of brain damage from prenatal alcohol exposure. It is suspected that many individuals with FASD are being served by the Calgary Homeless Foundation’s (CHF) frontline agencies without recognition ofthe specialized supports they may need. Our research aims to learn from the experiences of individuals with either diagnosed or suspected FASD who are or have been homeless and from interviews with a wide range of professionals working in the homeless-serving sector regarding their perception of needs and service gaps for this population.

Publication Date: 
2015
Pages: 
1027
Volume: 
3
Issue: 
1
Journal Name: 
Journal of Substance Abuse & Alcoholism
Location: 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada