Michael Coteau reply from Ms. Mlakar MCYS

"Trott, Monica (MCYS)" <Monica.Trott@ontario.ca>, "Lambert, Sarah (MCYS)" <Sarah.Lambert@ontario.ca>, "Mannella, Mary (MCYS)" <Mary.Mannella@ontario.ca>, "Matrakis, Bill (MCYS)" <Bill.Matrakis@ontario.ca> Dear Mr. More, Please find attached a reply to your letter regarding the status of the provincial approach to addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Thank you, Sent on behalf of Marian Mlakar Director Children and Youth at Risk Branch Ministry of Children and Youth Services Ministry of Children and Youth Services Policy Development and Program Design Division Ministere  des  Services a l'enfance et a la jeunesse Division de !'elaboration des politiques et dela conception des programmes Children and Youth at Risk Branch 101 Bloor Street West 2nd Floor Toronto ON M5S 227 Phone: (416) 327-0115 Fax:     (416) 212-2021 January 16, 2017 Direction des enfants et des jeunes  a risque 101,rue Bloor Ouest 2° etage Toronto ON  M5S 227 Tel. :(416) 327-0115 Telec. : (416) 212-2021 f"):-:. f   >    I/Jr   Ontario Robert More 5150 Roger Stevens Dr. Smith Falls, ON K7A 4S6 robmore629@gmail.com Dear Mr. More, Thank you for your letter concerning the status of the development of a provincial approach to addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASO). Your letter has been forwarded to me, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond and provide you with an update on the work currently underway in Ontario to address the impact of FASO on individuals and families. Ontario is committed to improving outcomes for people living with FASO through the development of a provincial approach to FASO. Building on a province-wide engagement in 2014, and the release of the former Parliamentary Assistant's roundtable report, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) engaged in dialogue with other government ministries, service providers, families and caregivers, individuals affected by FASO, researchers and clinicians, Indigenous partners, and others to seek input on how to move forward on a provincial approach to FASO. Our current priorities for the provincial approach focus on: •             Awareness and prevention; •             Screening, assessment and diagnosis; •              Programs and services; •             Support for families and caregivers; and •              Data collection and performance measurement. Through work on these priority areas, MCYS' goal is to develop a better understanding of the prevalence of FASO, as well as the financial impact of the disorder, as outlined in your letter. As you point out, MCYS recognizes that many reports have indicated that individuals diagnosed with FASO have a disproportionately high representation in the justice system, and through the provincial approach to FASO, MCYS is working to better understand the impact of the disorder on children and youth in Ontario. MCYS is currently in the developmental phase of this work. Information on the provincial approach to FASO will be communicated publically as it becomes available. I invite you to continue to check MCYS's website for updates on the province's work on FASO at: www.children   .gov.on.ca/htdocs/Engl  ish/topics/specialneeds/fasd/index.aspx. Thank you for your commitment to improving the lives of individuals with FASO in Ontario. Sincerely, pJd Director Children and Youth at Risk Branch