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Education and Outreach
The purpose of this committee is to
establish guidelines that states may utilize to assist families
and their children with birth defects. Families may need assistance
with educational materials describing particular birth defects,
intervention strategies, services available in their state, parent
support groups, appropriate medical teams specific to their child’s
needs, genetic counseling, etc. Throughout the year, beginning in
March, committee members hold monthly conference calls that focus
on development of content for the annual Birth Defects Prevention
Month educational packet that is promoted each January. Materials
from participating states are compiled and evaluated by the committee
to determine what is most appropriate for inclusion in the packet,
as well as what additional materials are required to meet the needs
of families, and of professionals caring for women of childbearing
age. Such professionals are in an ideal position to promote birth
defects prevention strategies. The education of health care providers
regarding the etiologies of particular birth defects is an area
in which many states are actively involved. Past Birth Defects Prevention
Month packets have focused on neural tube defects (NTD) and folic
acid, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), cardiac defects, and
oral/facial clefts. Representatives from the national office of
the March of Dimes work collaboratively with the Network in this
endeavor.
Contact Information
Committee Co-Chairs: Mary
Knapp and LaShunda Williams
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