Prevention

Primary prevention and awareness– The Eastern Door collaborates with the Elsipogtog Health and Wellness Centre to implement programs geared towards awareness and prevention. Programs include a women’s support group and Elder mentoring and home visiting for drug and alcohol using women who are pregnant or of gestational age. In the past there have been other programs such as Cooking with the Migajous (Grandmothers) as nutrition is key in promoting a healthy pregnancy and changing outcome. These programs are managed by the EHWC.

Prevention of Secondary Disabilities—The Eastern Door collaborates with all of the agencies in the community in getting the appropriate supports in place for the youth at home, in the school and community. Staff from the ED assist parents of ED youth and the youth themselves in practical ways advocating for them and connecting them to the services they need. They help youth get to their medical appointments and their parents get to school meetings. They collaborate with the healing court so that behavioral disability is not confused with criminality and proper interventions can be implemented aside from jail. This approach has been very effective in helping the youth succeed in school and in the community.

Professional and family training is provided by the ED on a TES approach to FASD and other trauma related conditions. They also do this at the provincial, regional and national level. They also provide training on site as a demonstration model for Indigenous communities.