1. National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health Conference November 20, 2011

2.  What is SAFA?  How did SAFA get started?  What does SAFA do?  How do I join the SAFA Network?

3. Rob Wybrecht Jasmine Suarez-O’Connor SAFA Network Coordinators

4.  A national network of people 18 years and older who have an FASD  A committed group of advocates created by people with an FASD for people with FASD  A place for people with an FASD to connect, teach others about FASD, and become strong self-advocates

5.  What our goal was  What our top priorities were “I wanted Individuals with an FASD to be able to see what’s being done in the United States regarding FASD and to know that they have a voice.” Rob Wybecht

6.  Provide a place where people from all over the country who have an FASD can find a place to connect  Teach the importance of self-advocacy  Provide SAFA track at BFSS conference

7.  Host conference calls to discuss issues most important to SAFA members  Get the word out about SAFA by presenting/exhibiting at conferences  Help members define and reach personal and advocacy-related goals!

8.  Alaska – Nick Otness  Arizona – John Kellerman  California – Morgan Fawcett, Ricki Nelson  Illinois – Emily Travis  Maryland – Sam Mabie  Michigan – Tony Kezenius  Minnesota – Richard Walinski  Montana – Melissa Clark  Nevada – Amanda Oliver Blaine  Ohio – Sarah Kyser  Washington – Tessa Barnes Gelo

9. SAFA’s First Meeting at BFSS Conference May 2011 SAFA Network Members holding their NEW flutes!!!

10. You Can Learn…  Why self-advocacy is important  How to advocate for yourself and others

11.  How to work together to achieve a goal  How to work with others  How to support each other in reaching a shared goal

12. ◦ A goal is a plan for the future. Group goals are about changing something that affects a whole lot of people. ◦ SAFA’s group goal for 2011-2012 is to make sure every state is represented by someone with an FASD

13. ◦ Become active in supporting or changing a law that affects people with an FASD in my community. (Contact one local organization who can help me do this). ◦ Speak up at least one time at a meeting about FASD.

14.  Lissie – Raise awareness about FASD with label on her dog biscuit company’s packaging  Nick – awarded training scholarship, now working in job training program to become dental assistant  Sarah – participated in ADA Day at the Zoo and handed out bags with FASD information  Morgan – selected by President Obama to visit white house for Obama’s Native Youth Challenge (Dec 2011)

15.  Planning for the 2012 BFSS conference  Upcoming webinars (FREE) (We want to hear from you! Share your story with us!)  Topics may include… ◦ Employment, self-advocacy, How to stay safe in the community, Learning about your state FASD Coordinators, Building friendships, etc.

16.  The Arc’s National Convention Denver, Colorado September 17-19  National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health Washington, D.C. November 18-20  TASH National Conference Atlanta, Georgia November 30-December 3

17. Barb Wybrecht, Leigh Ann Davis & Rob Wybrecht SAFA Exhibit Booth at The Arc’s Convention

18. SAFA Project Coordinators Rob Wybrecht rob1195@yahoo.com 616.241.9126 Jasmine Suarez O’Conner Doconno2@nycap.rr.cm 518.346.1715 SAFA Project Liaison Leigh Ann Davis ldavis@thearc.org 202.534.3727 The SAFA Network