September is FASD Awareness Month

August 6, 2026 - 9:55pm - by John Luxford

Keep your eyes glued here and to the MFCI Facebook page for upcoming events, contests, and more!

Call to Action – National Framework for FASD

August 1, 2026 - 4:54pm - by John Luxford

Former physician and current Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador, the Honourable Senator Ravalia, first introduced this Bill into the Senate on October 19, 2022. It received its second reading on November 1, 2022. It moved to the House of Commons on June 1, 2023 where it stayed until Parliament was prorogued in March and all bills in process were cancelled.

Once Parliament reopened, Senator Ravalia re-introduced the Bill on September 23 and it went to second reading on the 25th. We need this Bill to be passed and moved to the House of Commons. Once there, we need to make sure that it gets passed.

Why?

A National Framework for FASD would:

• Educate health care and other professional on FASD prevention, diagnosis, and support
• Promote research and knowledge translation;
• Set national standards for FASD prevention, diagnosis, and support;
• Raise awareness of FASD and the risks of alcohol consumption in pregnancy; and
• Identify any other measures necessary to improve outcomes

One in Five people are living with FASD, a whole body disorder that has complex symptomologies and higher instances of severe health issues that require lifespan support.

Find YOUR Senator

July 1, 2026 - 9:54pm - by John Luxford

Email Letter of Support for Bill S-234

Subject Line: Please Support Bill – 234  – National Framework on FASD

Dear Senator [Last Name],

I’m writing to ask you to support Bill S-234, the National Framework on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

This Bill will help Canada build a plan for prevention, better diagnosis, and stronger supports for people with FASD and their families.

Please vote in favour of Bill S-234 and help it pass. Thank you for your time and leadership. Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Manitoba Government Investing more than $946,000 to Advance Provincial FASD Strategy

June 1, 2026 - 9:55pm - by John Luxford

The MB FASD Coalition is pleased to share this news release from September 9, 2025 (click here to view the full article):

The Manitoba government is marking fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) Awareness Day and making progress on its FASD strategy with $946,000 in new annual funding, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine announced today.

“Raising awareness about FASD helps Manitobans support people impacted by FASD and substance use, and their families,” said Fontaine. “When we centre their voices, increase access to the supports they need, and celebrate their strengths and abilities, we help create a path to a better future.”

The Manitoba government announced a renewed five-year FASD strategy last September to co-ordinate government departments and community partners working together to support people impacted by FASD and alcohol use during pregnancy.

Budget 2025 included $946,000 in new annual funding to advance the strategy, increasing total spending through the Department of Families on FASD initiatives to $5.6 million a year and supporting the following initiatives:

• expanding the Manitoba Key Worker Program to more of rural Manitoba by establishing a new program site in Thompson supporting 30 additional families and increasing capacity in Selkirk;
• expanding the Spectrum Connections Program through Life’s Journey Inc. to support more youth and adults with FASD;
• expanding the FASD Family Support, Education and counselling Program at New Directions, reducing wait times, expanding eligibility to include youth ages 15 to 17, and supporting more families of children and youth with FASD;
• increasing Indigenous cultural supports for families at Manito Ikwe Kagiikwe — the Mothering Project at Mount Carmel Clinic;
• increasing funds to the Dauphin Friendship Centre for the InSight Mentoring Program for people who are pregnant or have recently had a baby and use substances;
• adding a new Project Choices counsellor position educating men, boys and gender-diverse individuals about FASD, alcohol use and healthy pregnancy;
• increasing funds to the Rehabilitation Centre for Children to support the Manitoba FASD Family Network, Building Circles of Support and Stepping Out on Saturdays programs for children and youth with FASD, their families and caregivers;
• increasing funds for Initiatives for Just Communities to expand the Visions and Voices program, allowing individuals with FASD to educate Manitobans directly; and
• expanding the Manitoba FASD Coalition, supporting FASD awareness, learning and community mobilization throughout Manitoba in partnership with regional FASD coalitions.

The minister noted the new funds will directly support an additional 138 individuals or families, stabilize funding within existing programs to enhance service quality, increase opportunities for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder to educate and advocate, increase Indigenous cultural support services within FASD programs, and increase FASD service access in rural and northern Manitoba.

The Manitoba government has also established an annual community grant fund to support initiatives led by community organizations to advance the goals of the FASD strategy, with up to $2,000 available per initiative. Seven community FASD projects will receive funding this year.

In honour of FASD Awareness Day, the Legislative Building will be lit up in red tonight. Events are held around the world throughout the month of September to raise awareness of FASD.

To learn more about FASD in Manitoba and read Manitoba’s Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategy for 2024-29, visit www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fasd/mbstrategy.html.