BC North Central Region CAPC/FADER Coalition Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) Fetal Alcohol and Drug Effects Resource (FADER) Coalition "Serving Communities in the North Central and Cariboo Regions of British Columbia."

What is CAPC?

CAPC (Community Action Program for Children) Programs are funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada, with a mandate to provide programs and service delivery for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers, living in conditions of risk. The CAPC Program hosts the FADER Coalition which consists of committed members, striving to reach children, families and communities, with a strong emphasis on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Intervention and Prevention.

There are three program delivery areas for CAPC:

1. Quality Early Childhood Programs

2. Family Support, Education and Resources

3. Community/Systems Building Capacity

This is a very diverse coalition, responding to the needs in each respective community. Outreach and educational services are provided from every site with a strong emphasis on being community driven and partnerships in response to community needs.

Background

In 1994, five separate agencies in the North Central region of British Columbia submitted proposals to Health Canada for funding of FAS projects. The federal body agreed providing they would form a single coalition. Consequently a coalition was formed to plan, implement and administer a regional set of community-based fetal alcohol and drug effects prevention and intervention programs. Originally called the BC Northern Regional Community Connection Project, the coalition members have become known as the FADER (Fetal Alcohol and Drug Effects Resource) Coalition.

Mission statement of FADER Coalition

Philosophy

We recognize the right of children to optimum social, mental and physical health as they begin their lives.

• We recognize and respect the right of women to make their own decisions regarding lifestyle and choices.

• We believe that every woman has the right to support throughout her pregnancy.

• We believe that every person has the right know about the effects of alcohol and drugs on the unborn child.

• We believe there should be support for adults, children and caregivers who have been affected by prenatal use of alcohol and drugs.

• We believe that a healthy environment for conception and birth is best achieved through education beginning in childhood and continuing throughout the life span.

• We believe that in order to maintain optimum quality of life, there should be adequate social, emotional, educational and economic resources and services for all.

Service Area

There are four service delivery sites administering this project, serving six main communities and their surrounding areas. The sites:

• Quesnel

• Prince George

• Vanderhoof

• Fort St. James

• Fraser Lake

• Burns Lake

The Northern Family Health Society (NFHS) is the Host Agency for the FADER Coalition. NFHS has been the host agency since the year 2000. Each individual site can be contacted for FASD Facilitation training. Contact your local site for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Resource Centre information.
 

Services

Each site delivers services required to meet local needs. Workers provide direct support for “at-risk” prenatal and postnatal women and families through individual and group supports, referrals, advocacy and education. We also offer outreach work which includes working and supporting families who are living with FASD.

In other areas, education about fetal alcohol and drug effects is presented to:

• School children – kindergarten and up

• Youth

• Community groups

• School district staff

• Partner agencies

• General public

Resources such as books and videos are available for loan through your local FAS Resource Centre.

Availability:

We provide services at no cost to participants and can be offered wherever they are required through our outreach work. All services are confidential and respectful of all cultures. Programs can be accessed by anyone by contacting the agencies listed below: