ae ganmntoeall) of Massa § A Proclamation ‘Whereas, suman service organizations, healtficare professional, educators and the public are called to work together to Better understand and support individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This can be done by improving public health efforts to increase awareness on how FASD may present in indiviciuals across the lifespan and the ongoing need for services and support for individuals feving with FASD, while also spreading the message that there is no safe time during pregnancy to consume alcohol and Whereas, FASD affects as many as 1 to 5 per 100 school aged chiliren in te US and describes a group of ‘complex lifelong disorders that affect each person differently, resulting in unique challenges, and it is estimated that among those with FASD, 70% are in foster care; and Whereas, FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of disabilities that can accur in an individual who ‘was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and before Girth; and ‘Whereas, FASD can cause challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, growth, cognition and adaptive function, and can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender or socioeconomic background: and Whereas, FASD also encompasses medical conditions that impact quality of life; and Whereas, Although FASD can be prevented by supporting pregnancies free of alcofiol, prevention efforts ‘should be balanced with support and intervention for people living with FASD: and Whereas, Barly diagnosis and intervention tailored to individual needs can fave lifelong Benefits, easing the transition to adiulthiood and fostering greater interdependence; and Whereas, Fach person and family affected by FASD should have access to reliable information, supports and opportunities to ive up to their greatest potential, Now, Therefore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim September, 2023, to Be, FASD AWARENESS MONTH _And-urge all the residents ofthe Commonwealth to take cognizance ofthis event and participate fitingty tn its observance. Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, tts first day of September, in the year two thousand and twenty three, and of the Independence of te United States of America, the two hundred and forty seventh. By Hen BxerLiowey BESS, ehaay Breet Govenvar or tir Coumoxwrauen Lr, Gavenwon ar tir Comuaxweatr Jit Fin fhe Securvany ov vis CoMsonwesnri God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts