Mapping FASD Training Opportunities in Canada: An Environmental Scan

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4 Summary

The purpose of this FASD environmental training scan was to gather information that would assist in understanding the nature and volume of FASD training and related events that are occurring across Canada. As a first step in describing the training landscape, the survey was deliberately limited in scope and defined by the following basic parameters:

A. That the training/event be "FASD-related," meaning that the learning objectives for the event must be predominantly concerned with reducing the harms associated with prenatal alcohol or other substance exposure through either prevention, identification, or interventions with affected persons/families.

B. That the training/events would:

• be at least 1/2 day (3 hours) long
• have a professional development or community development aim
• have been/will be delivered more than once during the period in question (with the exception of conferences)

The scan solicited descriptive information about training/events, such as:

• participants (how many and from which professions/organizations)
• topics
• accreditation
• evaluation
• ways of promoting the training to encourage attendance
• gaps in current training

The scan was the first of its kind in Canada to document FASD training/events. It serves as a starting point to describe where most training is happening, to whom it is directed, and the topics that are addressed. It also asked about gaps in topics and training populations.

Limitations of the Survey

The current survey provided an opportunity to begin the investigation into the nature and extent of FASD training/events across Canada. However, there are several limitations to the design and implementation that need to be acknowledged in any presentation of the results. The main ones include:

• an inadequate list of potential survey respondents - individuals and organizations (no list existed at the time of the survey, so one was created using a variety of contact lists from various sources)
• lack of in-depth descriptive information on existing training/events
• a timeframe that was very short (over a 12-month period) for current training
• a potential concern about timing of the survey (March is typically busy for non-profit organizations completing their fiscal year and people travelling for school break)

There is much yet that needs to be known about FASD training to complete the picture of what's happening where. One of the first steps is to create a database of organizations that are offering training. It became evident from the response rate and emails received from respondents that the sources used to develop a respondent list were not complete. Several respondents asked whether certain organizations were participating in the survey when, in fact, they were not on the list. Others heard about the survey from colleagues and requested that they participate in it. It may be useful to start populating the database with the organizations that responded to this survey and then work to identify other organizations through the FASD networks that exist (formal and informal). More information is also needed on accreditation and a calendar database where people can post and find training available in Canada and what they might be accredited for and whether or not the trainers are accredited.

The survey scanned a one-year period - April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005. It is possible that some training/events were not captured during that time period. Perhaps the training took place slightly before or after the period that was examined. At minimum, a two-year period might provide more complete data.

The survey instrument itself, while appropriate for an initial look at training, does not provide much more than basic information. Unanswered questions/issues still remain, such as:

• What is the nature of the accreditation that is granted?
• Who delivers training and are they trained?
• Does the training result in desired impacts?
• How can training needs be addressed for different populations in different jurisdictions,
  without duplicating efforts?
• Are there evidence-based programs that can be used to address existing gaps in training?
• What is the specific content of the training/event?
• What are the training methodologies that are employed?

The existing scan needs to be expanded to include a larger, more accurate base of respondents, as well as more in-depth information about the nature of training/events.

Appendix D contains an inventory of training/events by name. This list could form the basis for a more complete list if next steps are taken to expand upon the initial scan.

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