March 09, 2027 at 09:30 - March 10, 2027
Central Christchurch venue TBA
New Zealand
Google map and directions
Nikita Thomas
Are you a caregiver, family, or whānau member of a person with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) who is experiencing Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA – also known as CAPVA)? Note – CPVA does not refer only to young children; it includes adult children.
You're not alone. Let us help you find calm in the storm – he maonga āwhā.
Join FASD-CAN for a FREE powerful, two-day intensive workshop we have designed specifically for this challenge, which faces many in our FASD community.
Please read all important information below – registration details are at the bottom.
This training will provide you with a specialised kete (toolkit) grounded in five foundational pillars:
• Brain-Based Understanding
Learn the why behind the behaviour—it's brain injury, not wilful intent.
• Trauma-Informed Care
Build felt safety and support the healing of the effects of trauma.
• Connective Parenting
Utilising a positive and secure connection approach to strengthen your core relationship through whanaungatanga (connection) and manaakitanga (care for others).
• Non-Violent Resistance (NVR)
Master peaceful, non-escalating techniques to regain your presence and authority. NVR was developed specifically to address CAPVA.
• Te Ao Māori Wisdom
Integrating mātauranga Māori for whole-whānau resilience with the help of FASD-CAN Board cultural advisor, Tarsh Te Rure.
Leave with a personalised safety plan and the confidence to shift from reacting to proactively restoring peace. Connect with others who truly 'get it' and build your lifelong peer support network.
CAPVA is a lot to handle on your own – but this training WILL help.
Come and equip yourself with the skills and knowledge of powerful co-regulation techniques to support your whānau in responding to aggressive or violent dysregulation, creating more safety and calm in your whare.
We asked our attendees "What have you learned?" Some answers included:
• "I've not only understood my children but also myself – a pivotal moment in my life, in my healing and understanding."
• "How important my personal regulation is to support reducing violence in my home."
• "Understanding FASD and the brain and its relationship to violent behaviour."
• "Strategies that can be used, words to use, where to go to for support."
• "Neurobiology. Deal with the smoke before the fire. What can we do differently."
• "Understanding the child’s view of self and world. Creating felt safety."
Courtney Hastings is a registered social worker in Hawkes Bay with whakapapa to Ngāti Kahungunu. She was trained in Non-Violence Resistance (NVR) by Circle of Security International. She has years of experience in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) working with children, young people, and families affected by anxiety, depression, attachment difficulties and multiple neurodiversities, including FASD.
Kim Milne (MA, Dip. Social Work) is the Principal and Practice Advisor at Aotearoa New Zealand’s national charity, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – Care Action Network (FASD-CAN). She is a subject matter expert on FASD and is motivated in her mahi to address the stigma and many inequities facing people with FASD and their whānau. Kim is also parent to a young adult with FASD, and brings this knowledge and insights from her, and her son’s, lived and living experience.
Tarsh te Rure is a FASD-CAN Board member. She has a current role as Māori engagement advisor, and has previously been involved in governance for over a decade on the Te Ora Hou Aotearoa National Board. She has a diverse range of experiences across the education, health, youth, caregiver, and not-for-profit sectors – and she is also a Nan and māmā.
• This training is for caregivers, family, and whānau members of people with FASD who are currently experiencing CAPVA in their home environment – as well as those who are anticipating an issue in the near future.
• Participants must have a basic understanding of FASD as a brain and body-based disability, and the effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) on executive function. This workshop will cover material that is a specialised deep-dive into a specific symptom associated with FASD; it is not an introductory course.
If you have completed FASD-CAN’s 'Life with FASD: Understand and Connect with Aroha' caregiver training course that's ideal, however here are a few other national and international FASD courses and training that would meet this requirement. All are free.
• FASD: The Basics webinar with Rose Hawkins (Aotearoa).
• 7-module 'Australian Foundations in FASD' course (each module 20 mins) from NOFASD Australia.
• FASD Basics course from Proof Alliance (Minnesota).
NOTE: When you complete your Expression of Interest form, please note which course or training you have done.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided by FASD-CAN on both days.
If you are outside the greater Christchurch area, FASD-CAN is able to help with the cost of travel and two nights accommodation (Friday 8th and Saturday 9th March).
CLICK HERE to fill in a brief 'Expression of Interest' form.
Once you have registered your interest, our training administrator will contact you directly to ensure you meet the criteria for attendance.
If you have further questions about the workshop please contact: [email protected]
