FASD, Foster Care & Future Generations, with Dr. Susan Rich

Welcome back to Living with FASD, the podcast that shines a light on the complexities of life with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). I'm your host, Patti Kasper, your FASD coach, and this week, we're diving deep into the intersection of FASD and the foster care system with the return of Dr. Susan Rich, a child psychiatrist whose expertise in FASD has transformed the lives of many. In this compelling episode, we tackle the staggering prevalence of Neurodevelopmental Disorder from Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE) within foster care and question the efficacy of current social services. Are we truly aiding these children, or are we exacerbating their struggles? Dr. Rich brings her forensic experience to the forefront, discussing the often overlooked role of prenatal alcohol exposure in the lives of those entangled within the legal system. It is important to remember that FASD is often unidentified because it presents differently in each and every individual it affects. We also explore the groundbreaking work being done in transitional housing for women in recovery, like Grace Court, which offers a beacon of hope for families affected by substance use. Dr. Rich and I discuss the importance of education, early intervention, and the need for a paradigm shift in how we support affected individuals—starting with the recognition of FASD as a national public health and national security crisis. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in foster care, adoption, social work, or public health, as well as individuals and families living with FASD. We invite you to join us in this eye-opening conversation as we challenge societal norms and advocate for change. I am a Certified Facilitator of FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model. If you're seeking resources, support, or training on FASD, please reach out to me for professional development opportunities at https://calendly.com/kaspertrainingandcoaching/introductory-chat-with-patti.  To connect with our community and continue the conversation, join our "Living with FASD Podcast" Facebook group or the Flying With Broken Wings Facebook Group. To order a copy of Susan’s book, The Silent Epidemic: A Child Psychiatrist’s Journey beyond Death Row, Understanding, Treating & Preventing Neurodevelopmental Disorder Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure… go here:  https://a.co/d/1gNqDu4 To order a copy of my book, Sip by Sip: Candid Conversations with People Diagnosed as Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), the Amazon link is: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGMQLBLH Thank you for tuning in to this important discussion. Remember to like, subscribe, and share this podcast to help us spread awareness and foster understanding. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by FASD.