SJ0007 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are the leading cause of mental retardation in Western civilization, including the United States, and are 100% preventable; and

WHEREAS, The term FASD includes a broader range of conditions and therefore has replaced the term fetal alcohol syndrome as the umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, FASD are a major cause of numerous social disorders, including learning disabilities, school failure, juvenile delinquency, homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, and crime; and

WHEREAS, The incidence rate of fetal alcohol syndrome is estimated at one out of 500 live births and the incidence rate of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is estimated at one out of every 100 live births; in Illinois, it is estimated that there are potentially 9,000 children born with FASD each year; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that FASD alone can cost between one and 5 million dollars per child, not inclusive of societal costs associated with lost productivity, incarceration, and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Learning and life skills affected by prenatal alcohol exposure vary among persons, depending on amount, timing, and pattern of exposure and on each person's current and past environments; as a result, services for people with FASD vary according to the parts of the brain that have been affected, the person's age or level of maturation, the health or functioning of the person's family, and the person's overall living environment; given the range of need, services must be individualized; and

WHEREAS, Children diagnosed with FASD consistently have lower IQs and have difficulty with behavior regulation, impulsivity, socialization, and poor judgment; and

WHEREAS, Early identification of the disability and proper school interventions can greatly increase the potential for success in school and in life; and

WHEREAS, Illinois does not currently have a statewide, coordinated response to FASD that includes data collection, educational services, and mental health services; and

WHEREAS, The estimated cost that each individual with fetal alcohol syndrome will cost taxpayers is significant; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Departments of Children and Family Services, Healthcare and Family Services, Corrections, and Financial Institutions and Professional Regulation, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities to complete an assessment of existing State and federal assistance programs and to conduct public hearings across the State to gather testimony from parents, educators, healthcare providers, clinicians, mental health providers, FASD service providers, and others regarding the services they feel need to be in place in this State in order to serve this unique population of children and adults; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Human Services shall issue a report highlighting its findings and recommendations for improving Illinois' services to children, adults, and their families affected by FASD to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than January 2, 2010; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of the report be sent to the Directors of the Departments of Children and Family Services, Healthcare and Family Services, Financial Institutions and Professional Regulation, and Corrections, the Superintendent of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Illinois General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.