My name is Ebony Sullivan, I am Ngāti Porou, and I am the Ka Tipu Ka Ora FASD Navigator for the Ahuriri and Heretaunga regions (Napier and Hastings).

As part of my role, I support children aged 5 to 12 years and their whānau by:

• Assisting families through the FASD diagnostic pathway

• Providing support and guidance during both pre- and post-diagnostic care

• Helping whānau access information, resources, and appropriate supports

• Providing training, education, and advice to professionals who work with tamariki and whānau, including educators, health professionals, and community support services

• Offering support and guidance to rangatahi and whānau aged 12 to 17 years.

My role is also deeply personal. I am a wife and proud mother of four amazing children, and I bring lived experience of both care and FASD. Through my family's journey, I have experienced many of the challenges, questions, and emotions that can come with navigating support systems and advocating for children with additional needs.

Because of this, I understand how isolating the journey can sometimes feel. My hope is to use both my professional knowledge and lived experience to walk alongside whānau in our community, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and empowered.