The FASD-CAN Kaiwhakatere / Navigator role was first created in mid-2021 as a pilot role, with Anna Gundesen at the helm. The FASD-CAN board was quick to realise that yes, it was filling a desperately-needed gap in support services for those living with FASD. More Navigators have now come on board, in Te Tai Tokerau / Northland, in the Waikato and Te Waipounamu / the South Island.
Each Navigator will:
But there's more to it than that.
Our Kaiwhakatere all have lived experience and know that raising an individual with FASD (or possible FASD) is very challenging – both within the whānau and within society. This is due to general misconceptions of FASD behavioural symptoms being 'bad behaviour' or 'bad parenting', which leads to isolation and stigma.
Being a Navigator can become a very personal role – they can be called in when whānau are in crisis and need urgent support and information. The tautoko / support our Navigators give is respectfully and empathetically whānau-led and an important part of the job is to hold hope and awhi for whānau living with FASD when they are really struggling.
Here is a quote from a participant involved with a Navigator session:
"After seeing the Navigator I now have skills that I can use and it has benefited the whole family. It has changed our lives as previously I was really angry but now with understanding their brain, I'm not. Previously I couldn't understand why the usual approaches wouldn't work."
They interact with frontline professionals too, training and spreading awareness among health professionals, kaiako / educators, social workers and support workers, justice professionals and even corporations.
FASD-CAN has long been determined to have Kaiwhakatere all over the motu. Our whānau need them, but we need funding to enable them. If you would like to donate to help us train more FASD-CAN Kaiwhakatere / Navigators, by all means do so here!
Find out more about our Navigators below.
Anna looks after the Tāmaki Makaurau region. Our first Navigator, she has specialised education around FASD and brings lived experience to her role. Anna also leads our rangatahi group, Tītoki, which runs regular weekend camps. There's an article on her path to the first Navigator role here.
You can read more about Anna's background here.
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 021 810 965.
RuruHana has a long career in supporting whānau who are doing it tough. Since mid-2022 she has been facilitating our ‘Life with FASD’ caregiver trainings alongside Anna Gundesen, our Navigator in Tāmaki Makaurau. RuruHana’s wonderful empathy and experience working with whānau has been a lifeline for many. There's an article on how she came to the role here.
You can read more about RuruHana's background here.
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 027 407 7798
With more than 25 years’ experience across early childhood education, early intervention and social services, Jacqui is committed to growing awareness, reducing stigma and strengthening community understanding of FASD across Te Waipounamu. Her work is centred on connection, compassion and the potential within individuals and whānau. Like our other Navigators, Jacqui brings lived experience of FASD to her role.
Read more about Jacqui's background here.
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 028 474 3648
Teesh is our Navigator in the Waikato. She has had 30 years as a foster parent working with Barnardos, Open Home Foundation, CYFs and Oranga Tamariki and has changed many lives in the process. Teesh also supports other caregivers, parents and whānau, and her enormous network of contacts across education, health, disability and Oranga Tamariki systems means she can connect you with the right people and resources for your needs.
You can read more about Teesh's background here.
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 020 4188 2981
