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As the demand grows for professionals working with people that have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, the University of New Brunswick’s College of Extended Learning is holding a public session next week led by one of Canada’s foremost experts in the field. Dr. Michelle Stewart, strategic research lead with Canada FASD Research Network and director of the Community Research Unit at the University of Regina, will host the one-day session at the Wu Centre at UNB’s Fredericton campus on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a complex disability, and everyone is committed to working together to figure out how to support people in the community effectively,” says Dr. Stewart. "When we talk about a complex disability, it usually takes an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary team of people from different sectors working together to find the best outcomes for individuals that have it.” Dr. Stewart will conduct a short seminar covering contemporary issues associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD. During the afternoon session, attendees will participate in a team challenge activity that focuses on case studies, each seeking to best address the complex elements of the disorder – such as prevention strategies, supports and services – as they play out in everyday life. Members of the public attending the Transforming Lessons into Daily Practice workshop will get a condensed version of program offered by the College of Extended Learning. The FASD Intervention Support Certificate program at UNB, first launched in 2016, consists of 16 weeks of online theory and concludes with a three-day workshop in June. The program is in response to one of the most critical issues currently facing Canada’s intervention sector – a shortage of skilled workers to fill the growing demand for diagnosis, intervention, and support services for people with FASD. The free event on June 28 will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register early as seats are limited. For more information on FASD support training programs at UNB’s College of Extended Learning, call 506-458-7843 or email fjutras@unb.ca. Media contact: Belinda Elliott-Bielecki Note to journalists: Dr. Stewart will be available for scheduled media interviews in advance of the workshop. There will also be opportunities to interview course participants.