Policy and Practice in Responding to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in California: Challenges and Opportunities.

HEALTH policy; OCCUPATIONAL roles; PROFESSIONAL practice; MEDICAL screening; SOCIAL justice; SOCIAL stigma; CONCEPTUAL structures; SURVEYS; CHILD welfare; GOVERNMENT agencies; EMPLOYMENT; MEDICAL practice; HOMELESSNESS; SOCIAL services; FETAL alcohol syndrome; POLICE

UNITED States; CALIFORNIA

The article presents a state-level assessment of the California state government's efforts to prevent and provide relevant services in response to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Topics covered include components of existing state strategies, relevance to child welfare systems and practice and issues related identification of FASD, including screening and concerns with bias and stigma. Also cited are the roles and responsibilities of state agencies and the need for future research.