🌟 New Research Opportunities from the Thrive FASD Lab | Helping Individuals with FASD Thrive — And You Can Be Part of It
Dear Friends, Families, Professionals, and Community Members, At NCFASD Informed, our mission is to advocate for individuals living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the families and communities who support them. Part of that mission means connecting our community with meaningful opportunities that make a difference. We are proud to highlight the incredible work being done at the Thrive FASD Lab at the University of Rochester, where researchers are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with FASD through innovative, community-centered research. We are thrilled to share that the Thrive FASD Lab has recently launched three new programs designed for individuals with FASD, their caregivers, and the mental health professionals who serve them. Whether you are a family member, a clinician, or a community member, we invite you to read on and see how you or someone you know might get involved.
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Study 1: Thrive Person-Centered Planning |
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| Helping Young Adults with FASD Set and Achieve Meaningful Life GoalsThe transition to adulthood can be one of the most exciting and challenging chapters of life, especially for young adults with FASD. The Thrive Person-Centered Planning study is designed to provide meaningful, individualized support during this important time. WHAT IS IT? Over the course of 12 to 15 weeks, participants work closely with the research team and a trained facilitator from FASD United to identify a personal goal that matters to them, and build a real, actionable plan to work toward it. This is not a one-size-fits-all program. It is built around each participant's own hopes, strengths, and priorities. WHO IS IT FOR? - ✅ Adults ages 18–25 with FASD
- ✅ Living in the United States
- ✅ Ready to explore a personal goal with support
WHY PARTICIPATE? This is a unique opportunity to receive personalized planning support while contributing to research that will help future generations of young adults with FASD. |
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| Shaping a New Mobile App for Teens with FASD — Their Voice, Their Future Teenagers with FASD deserve tools that are built for them — not just about them. That is exactly what the Determined study is working to create. WHAT IS IT? The Determined study is in its early development phase, and we need the most important voices in the room: teens with FASD and their caregivers. Participants will join a virtual focus group to share their real-life experiences and provide direct feedback on early versions of the Determined mobile app. Their input will shape how the app looks, feels, and functions, making it more useful and meaningful for the FASD community. WHO IS IT FOR? - ✅ Adolescents ages 13–17 with FASD and their caregivers
- ✅ Living in the United States
- ✅ Willing to participate in a virtual focus group session
WHY PARTICIPATE? This is a rare chance for teens and families to have a direct impact on a tool that could one day support thousands of young people with FASD. |
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Study 3: FMF Connect Pro — For Mental Health Providers & Trainees |
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| Improving Care for Children with Developmental Complexity — Free Continuing Education Units Available! Are you a mental health therapist or trainee who works with children and families? This one is for you. Children with FASD are often seen in mental health settings but frequently go undetected. Research suggests that 6 to 17% of youth in child welfare or mental health settings have FASD, and many are served with traditional interventions that may not fully meet their needs. FMF Connect Pro is a new study designed to change that. WHAT IS IT? Developed by the University of Rochester's Mt. Hope Family Center, FMF Connect Pro provides brief, accessible trainings and easy-to- use app-based tools to help mental health providers better understand and serve children with developmental complexity, adverse life experiences, and possible FASD. The program teaches providers how to observe, assess, and support these children and their families in a more informed, effective way. The app-based tool can be used flexibly within a typical therapy session, billed using standard therapy codes, and includes: - 📚 Structured learning modules across two levels (Getting Started & Taking Action)
- 📊 A dashboard to track client progress and assign homework
- 🗂️ A library of family resources and tools
- 📝 A family forum and notebook for session guidance
- 🔍 Guidance on routine screening for prenatal alcohol exposure
WHO IS THIS FOR? - ✅ Mental health therapists and trainees across the U.S.
- ✅ Those who treat children ages 3–12 and their families
- ✅ Ideal for providers seeking an introduction to the effects of prenatal exposures
WAYS TO LEARN MORE: |
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