The SAFEST Choice National Learning Collaborative

The SAFEST Choice National Learning Collaborative aims to reduce the incidence of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and improve outcomes in children with a suspected or diagnosed fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Pregnant patients will benefit from the screening and counseling on alcohol use. For pediatric patients, early identification can change the trajectory of their lives. These children are already in your practices.

• Up to 5% of school-aged children have an FASD¹
• 41% increase of heavy drinking among women during the pandemic²
• 13.5% of pregnant women report current drinking³
• 97% of pregnant women believe that screening for alcohol use should be a part of prenatal care⁴

The curriculum focuses on

• FASD core knowledge and up-to-date clinical care
• Prevalence and trends of alcohol use
• Stigma, implicit bias, and cultural competency
• Screening for prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE)
• Unhealthy alcohol use screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT)
• Referral and care coordination
• FASD evidence-informed interventions

Participants attend ten (10) biweekly 75-minute virtual ECHO^®* (guided telementoring) sessions over a five-month period. Sessions are enhanced by supplemental presentations and individualized support on topics identified by participants.

^*ECHO^® (Extension for Community Health Outcomes)

Participation is open to clinical care teams across the country. All appropriate clinic staff who will be involved in implementation of FASD prevention and care (e.g., physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, other medical personnel, behavioral health staff, case managers, etc.) are invited to participate.

Starting in 2025:

• A pediatric-focused^* ECHO program will run February-June.
• A prenatal-focused^* ECHO program will run September-January.

^*Clinics serving both pediatric and prenatal patients may participate in both programs. Other training formats available. Please contact us.