CanFASD Northwest Overview
The Canada Northwest Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Research Network (CanFASD Northwest) was established in March of 2005, through the support of the Canadian Northwest FASD Partnership (the Partnership).
CanFASD Northwest is a formally and informally connected, widely dispersed group of professionals from a range of research
sciences, who are located across western and northern Canada. They are
involved in the use of scientific methods in the pursuit of advancing
knowledge.
CanFASD Northwest is not a funding body nor
can it provide direct services. Members of CanFASD Northwest
work together as time and outside funding allow in a Network Action
Teams Model. Teams answer questions requiring research and evaluation
posed by governments, organizations, and communities. Members pursue
common goals under the leadership of the Scientific Director.
Initially, we undertook a consultation process to develop a strategy for the networking and collaboration of research involving FASD across the Canada Northwest region. This strategy involved three primary activities.
- Identify all FASD related work being done across the four Provinces and the three Territories
- Evaluate these projects to determine if they meet the criteria for networking
- Conduct consultation process with relevant groups based on the areas that meet the criteria
The outcome of the consultation process provided the initial direction and focus for CanFASD Northwest which is in our report, Three Forums: Final Report on the Research Opportunities and Challenges. CanFASD Northwest also formed five collaborative Network Action Teams that are currently conducting research in a number programs areas.
Our Vision
The Canada Northwest FASD Research Network aims to build research capacity across Western Canada and the Territories to address high priority research questions, to devise more effective prevention and support strategies for women, for individuals with FASD and their families, and to better inform policy.
Our Mission
To create, nurture, and sustain a collaborative environment which produces relevant research leading to:
- Prevention of FASD and,
- Significant improvement in the lives of affected individuals, their families, and communities
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Our Purpose
- To build a sustainable research network
- To build research capacity and knowledge across and within all communities
- To identify priority research questions and themes relating to FASD policy and practice
- To develop comprehensive and culturally appropriate prevention, surveillance, diagnosis & intervention research programs to answer research questions in ways that can be understood, utilized and applied
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Our Goals
- To develop and foster relationships, research programs, and initiatives across the spectrum of FASD activity
- To be sensitive to community and cultural needs
- To facilitate and enhance productive linkages across jurisdictions, communities, and disciplines
- To answer high priority questions about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of FASD
- To disseminate empirically validated knowledge about the prevention, surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of FASD
- To inform policy, practice and decision making
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