Researchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Sydney, will establish a national framework to tackling Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), after being awarded a $2.5 million grant to set up a Centre of Research Excellence - entitled "Reducing the Effects of Antenatal Alcohol on Child Health" (REAACH).
Chief Investigator, Professor Carol Bower, said the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant, announced on Monday by the Minister for Health, will allow the team to develop a national approach for FASD prevention, diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
"There is growing public awareness and concern about FASD in Australia, so this Centre comes at a crucial time," Professor Bower said.
"The Centre will bring leading FASD researchers together with stakeholders and the community across Australia, to provide a united approach to research on FASD and translating that research into national improvements in prevention, diagnosis and management."
Through REAACH, the researchers will develop and evaluate:
- Prevention strategies for use Australia-wide by building on community-led FASD prevention strategies in Western Australia
- Sustainable nation-wide FASD diagnosis and training resources for clinicians based on the Australian FASD diagnostic instrument that they have developed
- National recommendations for FASD therapy in collaboration with the National Disability Insurance Agency, and translate the results of a school-based program and a parenting program, into school and community services
- The FASD screening tool they are developing for youth in detention for use earlier in the justice system and will upscale their justice workforce development for use nationally.
The Centre of Research Excellence is a collaboration between researchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Sydney and the University of Western Australia.
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