World FAS Awareness Day has been celebrated around the world for 25 years, since September 9, 1999. The nines on this date are symbolic – they remind us of the 9 months of pregnancy. This day is to encourage reflection on the effects of alcohol consumption by pregnant women. It is worth noting that in Poland alone, nearly 1,000 newborns are born with FAS syndrome each year, which means that four children out of every 1,000 newborns were damaged by alcohol before birth.
The conference was organized by One Heart Foster Parenting Associationwhich has been operating since 2009, mainly in the Biała Podlaska district, but some of its activities are nationwide, and it also cooperates internationally. Its mission is to implement the right of every child to a safe and happy childhood in a family. It takes care of 215 children and 65 parents – foster, adoptive and biological, including 37 people with disabilities. The organization runs two Family Homes of One Heart, in which a total of 25 children live. It takes care of improving the competences of foster, adoptive and biological parents by conducting training and workshops, and also trains candidates for foster parents. In January 2023, with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF, the Association opened the Lighthouse Child and Family Support Center in Biała Podlaska. This is a unique place offering comprehensive support to families – mainly foster and adoptive families. Every month, over 250 people receive specialist support from the following experts: psychologist, pedagogue, child and youth therapist, speech therapist, physiotherapist, sensory integration therapist. Children and youth also take part in classes to develop their talents and interests. Support groups for parents and development groups for children and youth are held. Lighthouse operates based on the TBRI® method – Trust – Based Relational Intervention, whose certified Practitioners and trainers work on site. In the Support Center, families are immersed in the method to create better relationships, deeper bonds and lead to the healing of children who have experienced trauma, loss and neglect. (description of the organizer)
The conference consisted of two parts: a debate and workshops. During these, issues were discussed, including healing childhood trauma, supporting the functioning of a child with FAS/FASD, and building children’s well-being. The event aimed to support children from foster families and develop effective solutions that can help build a better future for them.
The event participants took part in the debate “The well-being of our children – how to build it effectively” led by Joanna Luberadzka-Gruca from the Foundation Polki Może Wszystko. There were also workshops “The functioning of a child with FAS/FASD in school, family and community” led by Janusz Morawiec and Sylwia Ryżewska from the Polish FASD Institute.
The speakers that day also included Magdalena Różczka – actress and president of the Ukochani Foundation, Dr. Anna Witkowska – pediatric neurologist, and specialists in various fields covered by the conference topics.
The event was honored with artistic performances and shows by children and youth.
Photo gallery – below.
material: Radio Biper Biala Podlaska
photos: Gwalbert Krzewicki
development: Anna Ostapiuk
