FASD 2012 Conference
Speakers Bios
Dr. Gabor Mate, physician, well respected public speaker and internationally published author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, Scattered Minds, When the Body Says No, and co-author of Hold On to Your Kids. For twelve years Gabor worked in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with patients challenged by hard-core drug addiction, mental illness and HIV, including at Vancouver Supervised Injection Site. His other interests encompass childhood developmental issues, mind/body health, and parenting.
Diane Malbin is Director of FASCETS, Inc., a nonprofit organization located in Portland, Oregon. The neurobehavioral model that is the basis for FASCETS work and consultation services was developed on the basis of her clinical practice. Successful projects based on this approach have been conducted locally and internationally, including the Oregon FASD interventive study and the BC Cross-Ministry approach to addressing FASD. She has authored numerous books and articles and developed training videos and curricula.
Kee Warner is the founder and Executive Director of Whitecrow Village FASD Society, originally located in François Lake and now on Vancouver Island, a non-profit, charitable organization committed to educating communities and professionals about FASD. Kee has been involved with FASD initiatives in Canada and internationally for over 20 years. As a leading FASD Consultant and as the parent of 5 sons who are affected by FASD, Kee has first hand knowledge of successful prevention and intervention practices regarding FASD across many social and professional domains.
Ken Kissinger has been involved with Whitecrow Village since 2004 as Aboriginal Education Assistant, Addictions Recovery Support Programs and FASD Training Facilitator. As an adult living with FASD, Ken provides a unique understanding and mentorship for Whitecrow Village participants and others in the greater community (both those with and those without FASD). Ken is a sought after motivational speaker and presenter on FASD and has honoured invitations to speak throughout BC, Alberta, Manitoba, and the United States.
Dr. Julie Conry, psychologist. Dr. Conry provides psychological assessments for FASD diagnosis as part of the multidisciplinary team at The Asante Centre for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Maple Ridge, B.C., as well as with the local CDBC assessment team in the Bulkley Valley. Dr. Conry has been active in research and the clinical assessment of children, youth and adults with FASD for over 20 years and has appeared as expert witness on FAS in the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia and the Yukon. Following completion of a research study on youth in the criminal justice system, she published a book with Dr. Diane Fast entitled, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the Criminal Justice System. In March 2005, she co-authored “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Canadian Guidelines for Diagnosis”(CMAJ) March 2005, and recently co-authored the Youth Probation Officers’ Guide to FASD Screening and Referral (2010).
Anne Guarasci Family & FASD Training Lead, College of New Caledonia. For the last 20 years, Anne has worked in various capacities with parents who have FASD behaviours and characteristics. She developed and delivered a ‘Community FASD Prevention Program’ that includes intensive support and advocacy for women at risk of alcohol/drug use during pregnancy. The program experienced unprecedented success and gained provincial and national recognition. Anne has also been extensively involved in the development and delivery of national and provincial FASD training/education initiatives, evaluation and policy development.
Joni Conlon – Support & Advocacy Service Coordinator, Family Support Worker, College of New Caledonia. For over seven years, Joni has advocated for and supported marginalized women and their families, many who display FASD behaviours and characteristics. Joni is passionate about her work with women and brings exceptional depth of understanding to the field of FASD prevention/intervention and support.
Servaas Mes is the founding director of The Human Health Project, an initiative to bring hope, health, rehabilitation and wellness to individuals, organizations and communities. By profession he is a Somatic Practitioner as well as a Physiotherapist. He presents workshops locally as well as internationally, teaches children inside the classroom, is a frequent guest-lecturer at San Francisco State University and provides post-graduate education programs to health professionals in Europe. His practice is located in Smithers, BC, where he also works with individual clients. Based on sound neuro-physiological principles as well as profound experiential mind-body consciousness, he is setting a new standard for the embodiment of complete health and Being. How can you become more self-regulating in present time?
