FASD Expert and Legal Advocate Meets Local Judge and Attorneys

September 17, 2008 was an unusual day for local Mendocino County Judge, Honorable Leonard LaCasse. At 9:30 a.m. his court room was filled, not with defendants and a jury, but with a dozen Attorneys and social workers. At the request of Judge LaCasse, Barbara Auerbach, an experienced attorney and member of Area Board One, presented a training titled, Advocacy for Youth: In & Out of the Court Room, which clarified ways of assembling a multidisciplinary team for dependents who have behavioral and/or learning disabilities. The team, facilitated by an attorney, ideally would work to insure that children and parents are able to access necessary services ordered by the court. The presentation also emphasized the importance of recognizing and organizing services for children and parents who may have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD); a medical condition which exhibits the mental and physical birth defects in children whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy.

Barbara Auerbach’s training was based on the knowledge that she learned over many years practicing law in Los Angeles. Now retired and living in Mendocino County, she has decided to use her knowledge of FASD and the court systems to educate the community on FASD as well as IEP/IPP procedures and policies. She not only participates on the Board of Directors for Area Board One, she also works in collaboration with Partnership for Healthy Babies Mendocino.

The Area One Board is part of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. State Council Health Goal 3 - Californians will achieve optimal health and wellness through the prevention of primary and secondary causes of disabilities and promotion of healthy lifestyles. HE3.4 By September 30, 2009, the Council will educate juvenile court judges, probation departments, mental health and social service agencies, educators, and regional centers in at least eight Counties on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), its prevention, associated secondary disabilities, diagnostic information, local resources, interventions, and best practices.