The SAFEST Choice Learning Collaborative
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) occur in up to 5% of school-aged children. Prevent FASD and care for those diagnosed with it by joining The SAFEST Choice Learning Collaborative.
Reducing Incidence of PAE
The SAFEST Choice Learning Collaborative aims to reduce the incidence of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and improve outcomes in children with suspected or diagnosed FASD. This program, a partnership between Proof Alliance and Boston Medical Center, will use Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO®) virtual education to engage healthcare teams at community health centers (CHCs) in the Upper Midwest and New England in FASD education. Participation costs are completely covered by this program funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
ECHO® Cohorts
CHCs will participate in Prenatal and/or Pediatric ECHO® cohorts to learn FASD specialty-specific core competencies. The Prenatal Cohort will learn how to screen for and counsel patients who can become pregnant about the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy. The Pediatric Cohort will learn how to identify and care for children and adolescents with suspected or diagnosed FASD. Participation in both cohorts provides a streamlined approach for healthcare teams to address FASD across the lifespan with their patient population.
By becoming a SAFEST Choice Learning Collaborative participant, each CHC will receive:
– Free Continuing Education and Maintenance of Certification Part 2 credits
– Stipend of $6500 to support a Community Health Center Champion
Time Commitment
After an introductory webinar, there will be ten 60-minute virtual ECHO® sessions delivered over the course of 12 months. Each session will provide a brief lecture by experts, case-based learning and collaborative problem-solving. Participants will have access to resources to help them integrate new tools and workflows into their practice, which includes using quality improvement strategies to overcome any implementation challenges.
Clinic Staff
Participating practices are encouraged to invite all appropriate clinic staff who will be involved in the implementation of FASD prevention and care. This may include family physicians, pediatricians, OB/GYNs, NPs, PAs, CNMs, other medical personnel, behavioral health staff and paraprofessionals such as community health and outreach workers.
More Information
If you would like more information on how your community health center could be part of the SAFEST Choice Learning Collaborative, email Kendra Gludt at kendra.gludt@proofalliance.org.
Other Information
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $2.9 million with 100% funded by HRSA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
