The purpose of the Navigator role is to mentor and support families, whānau, and caregivers to better cope, care for, and manage tamariki/children and rangitahi/young people impacted by prenatal exposure to alcohol.

Our first FASD Navigator was contracted to begin in July 2021 in Tāmaki Makaurau, and after the enormous success of this role, in early 2023 we set up two other Navigators – in Ōtautahi / Christchurch and Te Tai Tokerau / Northland. Although similar roles have been proven their value internationally, the role was set up as a pilot here in Aotearoa, with the primary tasks of:

• Establishing a face-to-face whānau, parents/caregivers support group or supporting an existing one in the region
• Providing advocacy and support for whānau, parents and caregivers
• Providing education to whānau, parents and caregivers, as well as service providers
• Networking with the disability sector to raise awareness of FASD
• Developing a regional resource of FASD-informed providers
• Building relationships with professionals and service providers across sectors.

Click here to meet our three FASD Navigators.