FASD ECHO Training 2025

Safest Choice National Learning Collaborative

FASD ECHO Training Boston Medical Center and PROOF Alliance

Pediatric Cohort February 2025 - June 2025 Prenatal Cohort September 2025 - January 2026

Contact safestchoice@bmc.org or go to safestchoice.org

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) are a range of conditions attributable to prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) that include behavioral, learning, and physical problems. Alcohol is a teratogen* which adversely affects fetal brain development throughout all gestational stages. FASDs are permanent and the most common preventable developmental disability in the US.

The SAFEST Choice National Learning Collaborative is a joint program between Boston Medical Center and Proof Alliance that helps clinics address FASDs in prenatal and pediatric care settings through virtual ECHO education.

NO fee to participate.

Participation cost is covered through a cooperative agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Clinics will participate in Prenatal and/or Pediatric trainings.

The Prenatal trainings cover screening and counseling about the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy.
The Pediatric trainings cover identification and care of children and adolescents with a suspected or diagnosed FASD.

By becoming a SAFEST Choice Learning Collaborative participant, each health center will receive:

Free continuing education credits (physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, certified counselors) and MOC Part 2 credits

(some of the content can be used to fulfill the new DEA substance use disorder training requirement)

Access to a diverse, interprofessional team of national experts in the fields of FASDs, addiction, maternal medicine, developmental pediatrics, and more (https://safestchoice.org/about-us/)
Health centers may participate in one or both trainings.
Each session will provide a brief lecture by experts, case-based learning and collaborative problem-solving.
Participating clinics are encouraged to invite all appropriate clinic staff who will be involved in implementation of FASD prevention and care including physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, other medical personnel, behavioral health staff, and paraprofessionals such as community health and outreach workers.
No minimum number of annual prenatal or pediatric patients required
No clinical data reporting is required by participating clinics

*A teratogen is any agent that causes an abnormality following fetal exposure during pregnancy.

Maine participants.

2021 St. Croix Regional Family Health Center, Janice Small FNP, Princeton, ME
2022 The second cohort completed training April 2023, included: Andrea Tracy MD, Edmund N. Ervin Pediatric Center Augusta; Sunee Lovely MD Passamaquoddy Health Center Princeton; and Deborah Hagler MD Mid Coast Pediatrics Brunswick.
2023 The third Pediatric cohort completed 2024, included Alyssa Goodwin MD, Stellar Pediatrics Topsham.
2025 The fourth Pediatric cohort started February 2025 and includes participants from across Maine.

Watch here: Maine Provider Participants share their experiences (minute 34:45)

BMC explains the SAFEST Choice approach (minute 17:20)

Data on effects of alcohol use in Maine

Feedback from participants in SAFEST Choice Learning Collaborative

"SAFEST Choice has been very impactful for our clinic. I recommend it for other practices ... regardless of perceived patient risk level."—Physician, Pediatric & Prenatal Training Participant

“Alcohol use and pregnancy is pervasive, and SAFEST Choice empowered me to promote positive changes in my pregnant patients. Knowing about the problem of prenatal alcohol exposure is important, but SAFEST Choice went beyond the epidemiology and taught me various skills to effectively engage with my patients surrounding the theme of prenatal alcohol use.”

“…more information [and] more substantive than expected…very glad we signed up.”

“I enjoyed the case presentations from my peers, which helped me feel less alone in the challenges of my practice.”