FAS Resources in Arizona

FAS Community Resource Center

The FAS Community Resource Center is situated at 4710 E. 29th Street in Tucson, Arizona. (View map here.) The FAS Center is open by appointment only. If you wish to make an appointment, call Teresa Kellerman at (520) 296-9172. Read more about the FAS Community Resource Center here.

The FAS Community Resource Center hosts a web site that is well known as the most comprehensive web site on FAS in the world. Take some time to browse the wealth of articles, stories, quizes, and links you will find here.

Diagnosis

Genetic Services can be contacted for an evaluation for FAS diagnosis. The University of Arizona's Genetics Clinic is located in Tucson, but may at times travel to other locations around Arizona. For information on a referral for diagnostic evaluation, call (520) 626-5175.

Dr. Robin Blitz-Wetterland, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician at Children's Neuroscience Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital can be contacted for a diagnostic evaluation. Phone (602) 546-0970.

Dr. Margaret A. Pearson is a clinical geneticist in Phoenix: (602) 277-4161.

Attention medical professionals: Review Diagnosis Using 4-Digit Code by Drs. Astley and Clarren. Order the FAS Tutor CD here or call March of Dimes (800) 367-6630. Cost $15 plus shipping and handling. If you are willing to conduct diagnostic evaluations of individuals in Arizona, please call the FAS Community Resource Center for referrals: (520) 745-5588 ex. 195.

Anyone making a diagnosistic evaluation should review the Division of Developmental Disabilities policy on eligibility criteria for DD services: https://egov.azdes.gov/CMSInternet/uploadedFiles/Developmental_Disabilities/500.pdf. New DDD Policy: Note the new section on Learning Disabilities under 502.5.2 Exemption from Eligibility revised on May 19, 2009: www.fasarizona.com/EligibilityCriteria2009.pdf.

Early Intervention

Arizona Early Intervention Program 1-800-392-2222. Any child between the age of birth and three who has been exposed to alcohol is eligible for AzEIP, even if there are not any noticeable developmental delays.

Addiction Recovery

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Fee mental health screening is available through Mental Health Association of Arizona: (520) 743-0214. (This is not a screening process for FASD but for co-ocurring mental health disorders.)

Behavioral Health Services are available throughout Arizona. Contact your area here:

  • Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz, Cochise: CPSA 1-800-771-9889
  • Maricopa: Magellan Health Services at 1-800-564-5465
  • Mohave, Coconino, Apache, Navajo and Yavapai: NARBHA 1-800-640-2123
  • Pima: CPSA 1-800-771-9889
  • Pinal and Gila: PGBHA1-800-982-1317
  • Yuma and La Paz: EXCEL Group1/800-880-8901

Crisis Contact Numbers:

  • If you are located in Pima County, contact SAMHC Behavioral Health Services, the community wide crisis services provider, at 520-622-6000 or 1-800-796-6762.
  • If you are located in Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz or Cochise Counties, contact Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS), at 1-800-586-9161.
  • Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence hotline: (800) 782-6400.
  • National Child Abuse hotline: 1-800-4-A-Child.
  • Arizona Teen Life Line: (800) 248-8336.
  • Suicide Hotlines in Arizona: http://suicidehotlines.com/arizona.html.
  • In the event of a life-threatening or medical emergency, call 911.

Pregnancy Hotline

If you are pregnant and have questions or concerns about your unborn baby's health, contact the Pregnancy Risk Hotline. Toll-free statewide: 1-888-285-3410. In Tucson: 626-3410

Other Health Services

Contact the Arizona Department of Health, Office of Women's & Children's Health (602) 364-1400, or the Arizona WIC Program 1-800-252-5942.

Developmental Disabilities

If your child has an IQ under 70, he/she may qualify for disability services. Call the Arizona Department of Developmental Disabilities (602) 542–0419 or toll-free (886) 229-5553 and request an intake evaluation..

If your child does not meet elgibility criteria, you can still get support and information through participation in The Arc of Arizona (602) 243-1787 - (800) 252-9054. They have chapters throughout the state.

Information on legal issues in Arizona regarding developmental disabilities can be found at the Arc of Arizona's legislative information site. This site is updated weekly.

If you are a parent or caregiver of an individual with FASD over the age of 18, here is a Legal Options Manual published by the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Those of you who advocate for children or adults with FASD who do not qualify for DD services, i.e. those with an IQ over 70, are invited to talk to your state senators and representatives on Legislative Awareness Day at the state capitol on March 9, 2005 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. to let them know why your child neees services. Read this proposal presented to Arizona legislators at the DD Legislative Forum held in Tucson on October 21, 2004: Legislative Forum Position Statement on Eligibility Criteria.

Anyone making a diagnosistic evaluation should review the Division of Developmental Disabilities policy on eligibility criteria for DD services: https://egov.azdes.gov/CMSInternet/uploadedFiles/Developmental_Disabilities/500.pdf. Note the new section on Learning Disabilities under 502.5.2 Exemption from Eligibility revised on May 19, 2009: www.fasarizona.com/EligibilityCriteria2009.pdf.

Guardianship

When a child reaches the age of 18, he/she may need guardianship. A parent loses all legal power when the child turns 18, regardless of what disabilities or functional limitations the child may have. Contact Kymberlei Putz by email: Gscarcofaz@aol.com or phone Kymberlei at the Guardianship Services Commission at 602-243-1787. Families in Southern Arizona can obtain information on guardianship or conservatorship by calling the Beacon Foundation (520) 623-3454.

Legal Assistance

For answers to legal questions regarding many aspects of disability law, and to ensure that children disabled by prenatal exposure to alcohol receive all to which they are entitle by law, call the Arizona Center for Disability Law. All inquiries are processed through the Phoenix office. Call (602) 274-6287 or (800) 927-2260. Requests for services and information are accepted from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Read an update on legislation in Arizona that may affect individuals with FASD: April 2005 Letter from Leslie Cohen

Special Education

Post Adoption Resources

K.A.R.E. Kinship and Adoption Resources and Education

Vocational Rehabilitation

Recreation

Parent Support

Teen/Adult Support

  • Club COSTA is a support group for affected individuals that meets on Saturday once a month in Tucson. COSTA = Circle of Support for Teens and Adults with FASDs. Each individual who attends is to be accompanied by a mentor (parent/guardian/responsible friend) and must adhere to rules of respect and safety. For more information on Club COSTA, Call Teresa Kellerman (520) 296-9172.

Birth Mom Support

  • Pat Hoagland in Tucson 520-325-9692. Pat is the mom of an adult with Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND). Pat understands the birth mother's grief and guilt and is willing to share her healing experience.
  • Circle of Hope, a national birth moms Network through NOFAS. Call Kathy Mitchell at NOFAS 800-666-6327.

Advocacy

Indian Health Services

Prevention

Services for Individuals With FAS Disorders

There are no services for adults or children over the age of 3 for which they would qualify based on a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effects. There are only services for those who qualify for Developmental Disabilities or Mental Health.

"Just because we cut services doesn't mean these people disappear and it doesn't mean they get better," said Sheri Walton of the Arizona Mental Health Association at a public hearing on April 29, 2003 regarding the Arizona Budget for 2004. "You haven't really saved any money because they just show up in other budgets like Department of Economic Services or Corrections." From Arizona Republic article (4/30/03) by Robbie Sherwood.

If you know a child who needs services but does not qualify for services because of restrictive criteria, you may want to contact your legislators regarding funding for programs that are needed.

FASD Training Workshops

The Arc has trained 15 FASD trainers in Arizona. If you would like to have a training on FASD in your neighborhood, school, agency, or organization, contact the FAS Community Resource Center to schedule a training today. (520) 296-9172. There is no fee, but you must provide the location and make copies of handouts as provided.

FASD Books

New book by Arizona author Jan Crossen, 9 Lives, I Will Survive about a boy with FAS, from the boy's perspective. Must read for adolescents, teens, and adults, with or without FASD. Order it here on Amazon or visit the author's web site: www.jancrossen.com.

Book by Tucson psychologist Kathy Norgard, Hard to Place, a Crime of Alcohol, about a young adult with undiagnosed FAS and how he escaped the death penalty. Order it from Amazon or Read about the book here.

Brouse for books on FASD in the FAS Book Store. Purchase of books from Amazon through this link will provide a small commission to a young man with FAS.

FASD Task Force

The state has formed a Task Force on Prevention of Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol and Other Drugs.  For more information, contact Senator Linda Lopez or Dr. Cindy Beckett.

Micellaneous Disability Resources

NICHCY resource links for Arizona: http://www.nichcy.org/stateshe/az.htm

Resource List

Printable list of FASD resources in Arizona: http://fasarizona.com/FARCresources.pdf


Last Update: April 5, 2012
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