Based on its vision of "strong children, families and communities", Alberta Children's Services has a shared vision of an Alberta where children and youth are valued, nurtured and loved; develop to their potential, and are supported by enduring relationships, healthy families and safe communities. Alberta Children's Services is pleased to be a partner for this webcast of the 2003 Fetal Alcohol Canadian Expertise Research Roundtable. The ministry is committed to increasing public awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, reducing the number of children born with FASD and providing province-wide support programs to those already effected by the disorder.

It is estimated that 1-8 out of every 1000 children born in B.C. are affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)---the leading known cause of intellectual disability in children. The damage to these children is permanent. FASD affects children before they enter school, in school, as teenagers and as adults. FASD is preventable - early diagnosis and intervention can make a difference in reducing the problems associated with the syndrome. Making this research symposium available via the Webcast for six months is an important first step.

The Brewers of Canada, established in 1943, represents 17 member brewing companies operating in Canada. The Brewers of Canada are a founding partner of the FAS Resource Centre at the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse and a funding partner with the Toronto Hospital for Sick Kids for the nation-wide Motherisk Alcohol and Substance Use Helpline (1-877-FAS-INFO). The brewers have worked with partners since the late 1980's on programs to eliminate Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The BAC works with its members, governments, stakeholders and the public to encourage the responsible consumption of our products. For more information please visit our website at www.brewers.ca

FACE (Fetal Alcohol Canadian Expertise) was established in September 2000 and is a national research coalition dedicated to FAS and related conditions. FACE is the first initiative to link the Canadian FAS research community in a meaningful and permanent manner. With over 100 members, FACE researchers are involved in a broad range of study - from biomedical to clinical research, to population health, health economy and health service research. The coalition's goal is to develop and advance the Canadian FAS research agenda by identifying knowledge gaps and opportunities for research funding, promoting the exchange of information and new findings, and facilitating research collaboration.

The Motherisk Program at The Hospital for Sick Children is a national research and counseling program on the risk of drugs, chemicals and other exposures during pregnancy and lactation. Established in 1985, Motherisk counsels 150 to 200 women and their health professionals every day, and is the biggest combined clinical and research program of its kind, worldwide. Motherisk also operates the national, toll-free Alcohol and Substance Use Helpline (1-877-327-4636). The Helpline counsels women, their partners, family and healthcare providers about the effects of alcohol, smoking, marijuana, cocaine and other substances in pregnancy. Counselors make referrals to support services across Canada, and provide access to FAS assessment.