The Co-Creating Evidence Project (CCE) was a multi-site evaluation of community-based programs that support women in the prevention of FASD through harm reduction oriented, trauma-informed, culturally safe and women-centred approaches. It involved eight programs located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia.

The aims of the CCE project were to: share practice knowledge; demonstrate the effectiveness of prevention programs for women with substance use and complex issues; and identify characteristics that make these programs successful.

This digital handbook was produced as part of the second phase of the Co-Creating Evidence project. The handbook’s aims are to support the development, ongoing operation, and sustainability of wraparound programs for pregnant and/or early parenting women and gender diverse people with substance use and other concerns.

The handbook was developed with multiple audiences in mind, including program planners, managers and staff, service partners from a variety of health and social sectors, funders, researchers, community members, and families affected by perinatal substance use.

Since this is a handbook rather than a course, you are invited to explore one or more of the resource’s 15 key topic areas and need not read the topics in a particular sequence. Topic summaries and questions for reflection and/or discussion are provided at the end of each “lesson”.

Access the digital handbook to begin:

Funding for this project has been received from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) National Strategic Project Fund. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.