Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre is pleased to announce that we have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) assessment services for Indigenous children and youth in Northeast Ontario. 

We are NOW accepting referrals and assessment will begin in January 2023. 

 Indigenous children and youth will now have access to culturally safe FASD multidisciplinary assessment and other FASD services including; education and support for families before, during and after assessment; intervention services to bridge the gap to community or private services; and specialized neurobehavioural training for caregivers and educators.

Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre’s FASD services are consistent with our Woven Blanket model of care and blend traditional knowledge and practice with western medicine to reduce the stigma surrounding FASD.  While the assessment process can be a very clinical process, SKHC seeks to create an environment where the assessment process is also a healing journey so that the family and child can access the services they critically need.

The approach will be intergenerational and promote self-determination, supporting the child and family to make decisions that are best for them.  There will be respect for culture and language, and families will have access to sacred medicines, ceremonies and ways of knowing.  Every child, every family will be central to the journey and encouraged to share responsibility for their health and wellbeing by building relationships with health care providers and support services in both worlds, traditional and western. Each family will be given the support they need to achieve substantive equality in their ability to access, fully participate and benefit from care.

Please see the attached poster for referral criteria and information.