Edmonton Social Planning Council

Author: ESPC Team

Blog post: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): The Need to Build More Awareness and Support
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Written by Brett Lambert, ESPC Research Officer

Did you know that 1 in 25 people (4%) in Canada live with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)? This translates to 1.5 million people (Flannigan, Unsworth, and Harding, 2018). That means it is possible to have one student in every classroom who lives with FASD. FASD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disabilities in North America. It impacts more people in Canada than autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome combined. These numbers are considered a conservative estimate, and it is possible the rate of prevalence could be even higher because diagnosis can be challenging.

The month of September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, which aims to bring about more understanding of a commonly known but not very well understood disorder that affects more people than the general public might think.

In an effort to help further this awareness and bring about more understanding, the Edmonton Social Planning Council recently hosted a Lunch & Learn event on September 17 on this very topic where Brittany Durant, Program Manager for FASD Programs from Catholic Social Services spoke at length about FASD and how to better support individuals who live with the disorder.

FASD is defined as the impact on the brain and body of individuals who were prenatally exposed to alcohol as a fetus while in the womb of a pregnant person. It is a lifelong disability and persons who have the disorder experience some degree of challenges in their daily living and need support with motor skills, physical health, learning, memory, attention, emotional regulation, and social skills to reach their full potential. Since the disorder exists on a spectrum, the manifestations of FASD can be unique to each individual and can present differently for each person (CanFASD, n.d.-a).

The impact of prenatal alcohol exposure can also influenced by a number of factors, which includes the age of the pregnant person, the amount of alcohol consumed, pattern and timing of alcohol exposure, general health and nutrition of the pregnant person, the level of stress or trauma of the pregnant person, whether the pregnant person also smoked or used other drugs, and the genetics of the parents’ and epigenetic changes (Guerri et al., 2009).

Although the disorder is considered a life-long disability and there is no “cure,” individuals with FASD can still live successful lives with access to the appropriate level of support and services.

Barriers to Supports for Persons with FASD

Although the potential to lead a thriving and successful life is possible for individuals with FASD, the sad reality is that too many lack access to consistent systematic supports. As a result, this means that 90% of individuals with FASD will experience mental health issues and they are 20 times more likely to struggle with substance use than the general population (CanFASD, n.d.-b).

They are also at risk of experiencing homelessness, which could range from hidden homelessness like couch surfing or more visible homelessness like sleeping rough on the streets (Poth et al., 2018).

Persons with FASD can experience memory and cognitive challenges that can make tasks like paying rent on time difficult or can impact their ability to properly perform tasks at a job. This can make finding a place to stay a challenge too.

Landlords who do not understand the disorder may hold negative stereotypes and not want to rent to people with FASD. These issues are compounded for individuals who receive disability payment as their primary source of income as they have systemically been denied housing. (Bibr et al., 2024).

According to the Canada FASD Research Network, 80% of youth and young adults with FASD have had difficulty with sustaining independent housing. In addition, many housing models do not take into account the experiences of those with FASD and have limited capacity through staff training and resources to address FASD support and needs (Bibr et al, 2024).

More Government Action is Needed

Governments need to take more action to give FASD the recognition it deserves so that more robust support is in place.

In the Canadian Senate, Bill S-253 would put forward a National FASD Framework that seeks to establish a systemic and coordinated effort to address proper support for FASD. Current supports are scattered and inconsistent across Canada and the bill would establish a development plan for a framework that would address that. In addition to consulting caregivers, self-advocates, and representatives of provincial and territorial governments, the bill also seeks to address the training needs of professionals working with people with FASD, which would be an important step forward for improving the lives of individuals with FASD (CanFASD, n.d.-c).

Change Also Begins at the Individual Level

Just as governments need to lay the foundation for better support of persons with FASD, change also needs to happen at the individual level. Promoting a better understanding, awareness, and acceptance will help build a society where more people get diagnosed and receive the supports necessary to thrive.

While supports for individuals currently living with FASD is important, education on prevention is also important. Making sure expectant parents know that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is necessary. In addition, people also need to be mindful about alcohol consumption in the period leading up to pregnancy. Since 61% of all pregnancies are unplanned, responsible alcohol use in the lead-up to pregnancy also needs to be considered.

References

Bibr, C.O., J. Pei, K.D. Harding (2024). People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder face a heightened risk of homelessness. https://theconversation.com/people-with-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-face-a-heightened-risk-of-homelessness-237846

CanFASD [n.d.-a]. Basic Information. https://canfasd.ca/topics/basic-information/

CanFASD [n.a.-b]. What is FASD? https://canfasd.ca/what-is-fasd/

CanFASD [n.d.-c]. National FASD Framework. https://canfasd.ca/national-fasd-framework/

Flannigan, K., K. Unsworth, and K. Harding (2018). The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. https://canfasd.ca/wp-content/uploads/publications/Prevalence-1-Issue-Paper-FINAL.pdf

Guerri, C., A. Bazinet, and E.P. Riley (2009). Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and alterations in brain and behaviour. Alcohol Alcohol, 2009. 44(2): p. 108 – 114.

Poth, C-A, E. Carlson, J. Pei, V. Joly (2018). Creating Intersections: A Systematic and Person-Centered Harmonizing Framework for Housing Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. https://homelesshub.ca/resource/creating-intersections-systematic-and-person-centered-harmonizing-framework-housing-individuals-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder/
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September 25, 2024
Community Matters September 2024: Disability: And A Look At Inclusive Communities

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Welcome to the fall edition of our quarterly publication, Community Matters.

The aim of Community Matters is to inform the community about social issues that impact people who live in our community. The information contained allows readers to increase their knowledge, and to connect the dots between social issues, evidence and policy. In Community Matters, we give space to local agencies, ESPC staff and volunteer writers or professionals in the field to share their knowledge and voices.

Each edition will spotlight a specific social issue or topic and highlight its intersectional nature and impact on equality. Articles are written by people with specialized knowledge, research skills or lived experience using evidence to provide clear information and inform on the issues affecting individuals and families.

For our September 2024 issue, we are focusing on different experiences surrounding people with disabilities and a look at how to create a more inclusive community. Reproductive rights, the treatment of people with disabilities, government benefit programs, hiring practices and universal design are a few of the topics covered in this edition. Disability encompasses a broad spectrum of physical and mental disabilities, and addressing relevant issues, progress and innovations that appropriately reflect this spectrum would require much more space than we have here. The topics covered reflect an availability of authors from our organization, other organizations or volunteers who have graciously set aside time and used their expertise to complete research on each topic and to communicate the basics of what you need to know, so that readers such as yourselves can leave reading this publication with the beginning steps of being informed.

We hope you find this issue to be an enlightening read and that it contributes positively to the discourse surrounding people with disabilities in our community in Edmonton.

Janell Uden, Research Services and Capacity Building Coordinator

Edmonton Social Planning Council

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September 20, 2024
fACT Sheet: The True Impact of Immigration on Housing and Employment

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Introduction

In the past few months, more and more attention has been given to immigration and its purported effects on local economies. In September of 2022, 5% of Canadians rated immigration as one of the top 3 issues facing Canada, in September of 2024, 21% did, a four-fold increase (Angus Reid Institute, 2024a). As this issue has gained more prominence in the public eye, misinformation has flourished, with immigrants being blamed for many social and economic issues. The purpose of this fACT sheet is to dispel a lot of the misinformation surrounding immigration to Canada and its effects on jobs, employment, and housing.

Immigrants are an essential part of Edmonton’s fabric. According to the 2021 Census of Canada, almost one-third (32.6%) of people living in the city of Edmonton were immigrants (Statistics Canada, 2023a). Aside from Indigenous Peoples, everyone living in Canada is a descendant of immigrants. Conversations surrounding immigration often boil down to an “us” versus “them” mentality – “they” are coming into “our” country and destroying “our” labour and housing markets. We need to recognize that immigrants are not outsiders, but part of what makes our communities vibrant. As this fACT sheet will illustrate, many of these issues are really the fault of government policy and systemic inequities.

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September 20, 2024
Blog post: International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024
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Written by Abhinav Sharma, ESPC Volunteer

On September 8th we celebrate International Literacy Day. Literacy is a vital tool for personal and societal empowerment, so on this day, it is important that we reflect on the evolving nature of literacy in today’s rapidly changing world. The practical uses of literacy in an increasingly digitized and networked society, as well as the crucial role that research has played in forming our knowledge of literacy is notable. This year’s ILD theme -“Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace,” is highlighted as it emphasizes the ways in which multilingual education may help to create more inclusive and thriving communities around the world by fostering respect for one another and bridging cultural gaps (UNESCO,2024).

The role of research in shaping our understanding of literacy

Research significantly influences our practical understanding of literacy by providing evidence-based insights that help assess effectiveness of literacy skills in real-world contexts. A simplistic definition would state to be literate as ‘the ability to read and write’ (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). However, this definition seems very shallow as contemporary research has broadened this understanding. It now includes a variety of competencies essential for functioning effectively in today’s society, such as digital literacy, financial literacy, health literacy and cultural literacy (Beecher, 2023).

Real-world applications of expanded literacy definitions

In today’s society it is also important to look at expanded literary definitions that apply to a range of scenarios. Research has shown that literacy involves more than finding meaning to text. Modern challenges expect a literate person to possess and intentionally apply a wide range of skills and competencies (Beecher, 2023). This includes but is not limited to, comprehension, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate across various platforms. For instance, studies on digital literacy have demonstrated that students must be proficient in navigating online information, evaluating sources, and creating digital content (Beecher, 2023). Similarly, health literacy can help us prevent health problems, and managing health problems when they arise (C.D.C., 2023)

Research also demonstrates how literacy is understood in the workplace environment. Employers seek employees who can understand technical documents, communicate effectively in professional settings, and build collaborative relationships. Research has also highlighted the role of cultural and contextual factors in literacy practices. Community literacy programs often incorporate local languages, oral traditions and have been successful in improving literacy rates among Indigenous and minority populations, as a noteworthy example (Beecher, 2023).

Lastly, research also points to the importance of literacy in understanding financial matters. Lacking financial literacy can lead to difficulty in accessing the financial resources needed to meet one’s basic life needs (Government of Canada, 2023).

Currently, about one in three Edmontonians struggle with reading and writing and report challenges in filling out application forms or using math (Edmonton Journal, n.d.).This is a concerning figure as the role of literacy as a medium to access social services or to give back to society cannot be overemphasized. Vulnerable individuals and community members may continue to fall through the cracks if they do not know how to read a prescription, how to take the transit system, how to be more financially aware or how to develop skills to adapt to workplace requirements (Edmonton Journal, n.d.).It is imperative that research continues to assess the evolving meaning of literacy in our dynamic societies.

Promoting multilingual education: literacy for mutual understanding and peace

“Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace,” the subject of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO’s) International Literacy Day 2024, offers a pertinent and contemporary focus, especially in a world where linguistic diversity is both a resource and a challenge (UNESCO,2024). Being multilingual gives you access to a wider range of cultures, viewpoints, and ways of thinking. Multilingualism plays a pivotal role in easing global mobility, particularly for individuals seeking opportunities beyond their birth countries. As economic disparities and limited career prospects push people to migrate for better lives, proficiency in multiple languages becomes a key asset. It allows individuals to navigate new cultural landscapes, access job markets, and integrate more seamlessly into foreign societies. By empowering individuals to engage with diverse communities, multilingualism contributes to building a world where people can thrive together, irrespective of their origins, bringing us closer to the vision of a truly inclusive global society.

As we celebrate International Literacy Day this year it is the hope that this post will stimulate greater thinking and address some of the challenges that lie in the path of multilingualism (Smith, 2024). These include overcoming cultural biases, rehauling education curriculums and investing in staff training to manage wide-ranging literacy needs. Additionally, we must give thought to millions of people living in vulnerable communities across the world who face various challenges and may also struggle reaching basic literacy proficiency (UNESCO,2024).

References

1. UNESCO. (n.d.). International Literacy Day. UNESCO.org. https://www.unesco.org/en/days/literacy

2. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Literate definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literate#h1

3. Beecher, C. (2023, July 19). Chapter 1. what is literacy? Multiple Perspectives on Literacy. Methods of Teaching Early Literacy. https://iastate.pressbooks.pub/teachingearlyliteracy/chapter/what-is-literacy-multiple-perspectives-on-literacy/

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 19). Understanding health literacy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/learn/understanding.html

5. Canada, F. C. A. of. (2023, November 22). Government of Canada. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/programs/research/review-financial-literacy-research.html

6. Edmonton Journal. (n.d.). Pals has been changing lives through literacy since 1979 | Edmonton Journal. Edmonton Journal. https://edmontonjournal.com/health/pals-has-been-changing-lives-through-literacy-since-1979

7. Smith, K. (2024, September 3). International Literacy Day 2024: Why Multilingual Education Matters. YWCA Northwestern Illinois. https://www.ywcanwil.org/international-literacy-day-2024-why-multilingual-education-matters/
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September 6, 2024
Media Release: Poverty in Edmonton a persistent challenge to living a dignified life for too many according to new Edmonton Social Planning Council report

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 6, 2024.

EDMONTON – A new report from Edmonton Social Planning Council, A Profile of Poverty in Edmonton, shows that poverty remains a persistent social problem that continues to be a barrier to living a dignified life for too many Edmontonians.

While extreme poverty, such as persons experiencing homelessness, gets a lot of attention, this report also seeks to shed light on others also feeling the pressures that poverty brings. This includes the “working poor,” those at risk of slipping into poverty, and those experiencing certain indicators of poverty while still technically living above the poverty line.

“All Edmontonians deserve to live a dignified life meeting their basic needs and participating in our communities,” says Sydney Sheloff, Strategic Research Coordinator with the Edmonton Social Planning Council and the primary author of the report. “However, the rising cost of living, proliferation of low paying and unstable jobs, and limited government support constrains people’s choices and ability to get ahead. A robust course correction is needed from all levels of government to renew our efforts in tackle this crisis that poverty has on our communities.”

A Profile of Poverty in Edmonton seeks to paint a picture of what a dignified life in Edmonton looks like and what is needed to live this life. Data on various indicators such as housing, food security, recreation, mental health, employment, income levels, and others are offered throughout the report. The numbers are brought to life through a variety of “scenarios,” showing hypothetical people going through very real struggles and the tough choices they need to make in order to make ends meet and live a dignified life.

The report offers recommendations on what governments can do to curb the rising cost of living, achieve meaningful employment, increase access to education, childcare, and others.

Read the full report on our website.

Media Contact:

Sydney Sheloff, Strategic Research Coordinator
Edmonton Social Planning Council
Sydneys@edmontonsocialplanning.ca

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September 6, 2024
A profile of poverty in Edmonton: September 2024
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Introduction

This report presents a snapshot of what poverty looks like in Edmonton in 2024. When thinking about poverty, our minds tend to jump to the most extreme cases – such as those experiencing homelessness. This report aims to shed light on those living in the “middle” – the working poor, those on the cusp of poverty, and those experiencing certain indicators of poverty while still living above the poverty line. Too often, these populations are ignored, and as such their situation remains hidden and largely unaddressed.

A rising cost of living; proliferation of low paying, unstable jobs; limited government support; and lack of access to quality education and childcare constrain people’s choices and create the conditions that trap people in poverty. Today, too many Edmontonians struggle to meet their basic needs and are forced to make tough decisions to get by each month. In this social and economic environment, it is increasingly difficult to access the things one needs to “get ahead.” Poverty is more than a simple lack of material resources, living in poverty limits one’s ability to participate in their community and live a dignified life.

The neighbour who works full-time yet still pays over 30% of their income on rent, the friend who wants to go back to school to get a better job but does not have the time or the money, or the sibling who stays home because they cannot access childcare may not be the first people to jump into one’s mind when picturing “poverty,” but they are nonetheless deeply impacted by it. This report aims to unpack some of the nuances surrounding poverty in Edmonton and illustrate how poverty impacts people’s lives in complicated and interconnected ways.

This project seeks to answer the following questions:
1. What does a dignified life look like in Edmonton? We aim to identify the things that give our lives meaning and are integral to well-being. This includes relationships and belonging, mental health, and sense of meaning.
2. What does it cost to have this life? This section will dive into cost of living indicators including housing, energy, healthy and culturally relevant food, transportation, health, recreation, clothing, and personal care.
3. What is needed to afford this life? This section will investigate indicators such as employment rates, quality of employment, incomes, and government supports, and whether or not these are sufficient to cover one’s basic needs.
4. What supports this life? This section investigates the larger systems that can enhance or impede the ability to get a good job, afford one’s needs, and live a dignified life. This includes access to education and childcare.
Throughout this report, the answers to these questions will be illustrated through “scenarios” we have created to bring these numbers to life. The people and families highlighted may be made up, but they represent the real struggles Edmonton families are going through.
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September 6, 2024