Development of a Model of Care resource for FASD in the justice system

This article describes the development of a Model of Care (MoC) resource to support youth involved with the justice system where a neurodevelopmental disability such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is suspected. Service staff within the Youth Justice sector were engaged in an iterative process of resource development over a 9-month period. A reference group was established for feedback at each stage, expert advice was sought from the Australian and New Zealand FASD Clinical Network. Five phases of iterative resource development occurred; the first three covered function, form and content of the resource while iterations 4 and 5 mainly pertained to usability. Referral pathway schematics, poster style resources and a user manual were developed and distributed to Youth Justice affiliated organizations. The aim is for the resource to assist in early and appropriate intervention and support for youth with suspected neurodevelopmental disabilities involved in the justice system.