| To Whom It May Concern: |
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| In March, 2003 I had the
opportunity to join a new Task Force that planned to address the
issue of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Macomb County. I
now serve as the Chair of the Macomb County Fetal Alcohol
Resource Education and Support Coalition. |
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| Through MCFARES, I learned about
Project Focus and was told that our family would qualify to
attend the program. We attended our first summer program in
2003. Our two older boys were 9 years old at the time our third
son was 5 years old (by the end of the program, my 2 year old
daughter was begging to stay for the program). That Fall/Winter,
we attended Project Focus to reinforce the skills/knowledge that
we learned over the summer. |
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| The individuals who staff Project
Focus have all been caring, helpful people who have worked with
our unique family needs. Our second oldest son has confirmed
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and his behaviors (especially in
the evening when the Project Focus program is held) can be
somewhat challenging. The staff have assisted him on a 1 to 1
basis when necessary and have provided information to him at a
level that he can understand (he is developmentally delayed and
understands information best when it is provided in a concrete,
individualized manner). Our son still repeats and shows
understanding of concepts that he learned through Project Focus. |
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| Through continued and repeated involvement
with Project Focus, our son is better equipped to make appropriate
decisions regarding alcohol use. He has learned about safe people,
understanding feelings and dealing with anger. We continue our
involvement with Project Focus because our son is best able to retain
information that is repeatedly presented. |
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| Also, Project Focus and other parenting
programs through CARE (STEP and the HUGS classes), have provided me with
knowledge that helps me to best support the needs of my children and act
in a pro-active manner to prevent challenges. I've also realized that as
a parent continued support helps me to keep the needs of my children in
the forefront of my mind and to change my parenting techniques as my
children grow and change. |
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| Project Focus has helped my children learn
information that will help them remain drug-free. The parenting classes
have helped me to learn information that will allow me to support the
individualized needs of my children. It is our plan to continue our
involvement in programs provided by CARE. |
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| Thank you, |
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| Charisse A. Cossu-Kowalski |
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