Advocates are at the State Capitol today, asking lawmakers for funding for services for those with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Activist Laura Bloch says, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It is a permanent, lifelong brain injury, but our individuals with that diagnosis don’t have access to… that money, to that support.” Chances for legislation appear good because the bill has high-profile sponsors in both the Minnesota Senate and the House.
Members of the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome as meeting with over 70 lawmakers to press for brain injury services and expanded funding for other programs. Officials say more than 7,000 babies are born each year in Minnesota with prenatal alcohol exposure. This can result in FASD, a form of permanent brain damage and the most common developmental disability in the United States.