Children in the child welfare system or those who have been adopted may have been exposed to drugs and alcohol before birth. These exposures can significantly impact a child’s development in utero and beyond. Research indicates that alcohol exposure has the most severe long-term consequences, often resulting in permanent brain injury and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Other substance exposures can also affect a child’s development and behavior.
One key concept for foster and adoptive parents to understand is that FASD is a permanent brain injury. Children with FASD may appear willfully disobedient or “naughty,” but these behaviors are often symptoms of a brain injury manifesting in behavioral ways. By reframing these behaviors through the lens of a brain injury, parents can foster greater patience and empathy, even during challenging times.
This training will also address other prenatal substance exposures and their effects on child development.
Goals of This Session:
Gain an understanding of FASD and the potential lifelong impacts on children’s social, emotional, and cognitive functioning associated with FASD and other parental substance use conditions.
Understand the impact of substance use on the developing brain, both in utero and throughout the child’s lifetime.
Identify effective parenting strategies for children who have been exposed to substances prenatally.
Develop an understanding of the genetic components of addiction and recognize addiction as a chronic disease.
Children in the child welfare system or those who have been adopted may have been exposed to drugs and alcohol before birth. These exposures can significantly impact a child’s development in utero and beyond. Research indicates that alcohol exposure has the most severe long-term consequences, often resulting in permanent brain injury and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Other substance exposures can also affect a child’s development and behavior.
One key concept for foster and adoptive parents to understand is that FASD is a permanent brain injury. Children with FASD may appear willfully disobedient or “naughty,” but these behaviors are often symptoms of a brain injury manifesting in behavioral ways. By reframing these behaviors through the lens of a brain injury, parents can foster greater patience and empathy, even during challenging times.
This training will also address other prenatal substance exposures and their effects on child development.
Goals of This Session:
Gain an understanding of FASD and the potential lifelong impacts on children’s social, emotional, and cognitive functioning associated with FASD and other parental substance use conditions.
Understand the impact of substance use on the developing brain, both in utero and throughout the child’s lifetime.
Identify effective parenting strategies for children who have been exposed to substances prenatally.
Develop an understanding of the genetic components of addiction and recognize addiction as a chronic disease.
South Portland – F/A/K- Meets Tuesday, June 10th, 6:00-7:30 P.M. at The Point 345 Clarks Pond Pkwy, South Portland. Childcare is provided with prior RSVP. RSVP IS REQUIRED EACH MONTH. RSVP by calling Brigid at 207-827-2331 or email brigid@affm.net or clicking the below link:
Bangor- A/PG – Meets Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 6:00-7:30 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church (540 Essex Street). On-site childcare is available with advance notice. RSVP IS REQUIRED EACH MONTH. RSVP by calling Sheila at 207-827-2331, emailing sheila@affm.net, or by clicking on the link below. The meeting is led by Foster/Adoptive parent Leah Gray.
Kinship Only: Meets Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 6:00-7:30 P.M. by ZOOM Conferencing. RSVP IS REQUIRED EACH MONTH TO RECEIVE THE LINK TO JOIN THE MEETING. RSVP by calling Sheila at 207-827-2331, email sheila@affm.net, or by clicking on the link below. The meeting is led by Bette Hoxie, AFFM Kinship Program Manager, and Dona Lane, M. ED, Clinical & Educational Consultant.
Skowhegan – F/A/K – Meets Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 4:00-5:30 P.M. at The Federated Church (13 Island Avenue). On-site childcare is available with advance notice. RSVP IS REQUIRED EACH MONTH. RSVP by calling Sheila at 207-827-2331, emailing sheila@affm.net, or by clicking on the link below. The meeting is led by Foster parent Amanda Walz.
F/A/K- Meets Tuesday, June 10, 2025 from 10:00-11:30 A.M. by ZOOM Conferencing. RSVP IS REQUIRED EACH MONTH TO RECEIVE THE LINK TO JOIN THE MEETING. RSVP by calling Sheila at 207-827-2331, email sheila@affm.net, or by clicking on the link below. The meeting is led by Brigid Torberg, AFFM Resource Support Coordinator.
Damariscotta – F/A/K: Meets Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 P.M. at the YMCA (525 Main Street). Childcare is not available at this time. RSVP IS REQUIRED EACH MONTH. RSVP by calling Sheila at 207-827-2331, email sheila@affm.net, or by clicking on the link below. The meeting is led by Pat Tavernakis, AFFM Trainer.
All resource families are required to complete Mandated Reporter Training when becoming licensed and must renew this training every four years. Join us for this essential training and earn 2 hours towards recertification!
Mandated Reporters play a vital role in Maine’s child protection system, serving as an early warning network to identify suspected child abuse and neglect. By acting promptly, they help prevent serious and long-term harm to children. Professionals who frequently work with children are in the best position to recognize and report suspected abuse or neglect, and the law requires them to do so.
This training ensures that you, as a resource parent, are equipped with the knowledge to fulfill this critical responsibility.
Belfast – F/A/K: Meets Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 P.M. at the Baptist Church (95 High Street). On-site childcare is available with advance notice. RSVP IS REQUIRED EACH MONTH. RSVP by calling Sheila at 207-827-2331, email sheila@affm.net, or by clicking on the link below. The meeting is led by Pat Tavernakis, AFFM Trainer.
