SENATE RESOLUTION

                            8683

By Senators Hargrove, Long and Costa

     WHEREAS, Fetal alcohol syndrome/fetal alcohol effects (FAS/FAE) are preventable birth defects that result from an unborn child's exposure to alcohol during gestation; and

     WHEREAS, FAS/FAE is a condition recognizable in children by varying degrees of growth deficiencies, neurobehavioral effects, and facial anomalies; and

     WHEREAS, Children with FAS/FAE exhibit complex brain dysfunction with combined elements of cognitive impairment, behavioral disturbance, and neurological damage; and

     WHEREAS, The incidence rate in Seattle for combined FAS/FAE is reported in a 1997 University of Washington study as 9.1/1,000 live births; and

     WHEREAS, The impact from the prevalence of this condition is not specified, but significantly affects education, criminal justice, and social service delivery systems; and

     WHEREAS, There is no state definition for FAS/FAE, nor is there a specific state program addressing the multiple needs of these FAS/FAE individuals who may not fit within existing mental health or developmental disabilities programs; and

     WHEREAS, The Department of Social and Health Services, the Department of Health, the Department of Corrections, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction have, pursuant to RCW 70.96A.510 executed an interagency agreement to ensure the coordination of identification, prevention, and intervention programs for children who have fetal alcohol exposure and established a fetal alcohol syndrome interagency workgroup (FAS Interagency Workgroup) supported through the division of alcohol and substance abuse at the Department of Social and Health services; and

     WHEREAS, The FAS Interagency Workgroup has expressed willingness to facilitate the investigation of and reporting on the issues set forth herein;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate directs the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee to coordinate with the FAS Interagency Workgroup to examine the issue of FAS/FAE service delivery by the state and draft a report to the Legislature concerning the prevalence of FAS/FAE in this state; the costs incurred in service delivery within state-supported programs as a result of this preventable condition; and include recommendations regarding the development of state programs that would provide services to individuals and families impacted by FAS/FAE.  The report shall be submitted to the Senate on June 30, 2002; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor's Office, and to the FAS Interagency Workgroup.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8638,

adopted by the Senate April 21, 2001.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate