Nine provincial government ministries – including Justice – were involved in the development of “A 10-year Provincial Plan which demonstrates government’s commitment to a collaborative, cross-ministry approach. The FASD Plan serves to guide the efforts of provincial ministries and regional and community-based partners. It has fostered the coordination of these organizations in addressing the complexities of FASD prevention, improving the early identification of FASD, and supporting those living with this disability and their families in BC.
Justice examples:
In 2005, Ministry of Children and Family Development )MCFD)provided funding for the Youth Justice FASD Program provided by the Asante Centre in partnership with PLEA Community Services Society of BC. It provides high-risk youth diagnosed with FASD, who are before the courts, with effective alternatives to custody. In addition, the program provides individualized assessments, intensive support and supervision, residential placements and post-program family follow-up services.
The Corrections Branch of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General has implemented enhanced training for probation officers who supervise adult offenders affected by FASD. The curriculum covers 14 hours of comprehensive online content that assists probation officers to recognize and more effectively manage adult offenders affected by FASD. The Branch has also implemented training specific to working with adult women offenders that highlights the importance of developing intervention strategies with women offenders who are at risk of use during pregnancy. Additionally, since 2004, a resource guide called “FASD: What every probation officer needs to know”, developed by a Corrections Branch probation officer, has been distributed to all adult probation officers in B.C.