Governor Stein Proclaims Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, alcohol is a teratogen that crosses the placenta and can damage the central nervous system and other organs of the developing embryo/fetus at any time during pregnancy; and

Whereas, although the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the brain are irreversible, appropriate accommodations and supports can assist people with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) to lead empowering and successful lives; and

Whereas, FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth; and FASD is a brain-based disability that has lifelong impacts; and

Whereas, studies that include research data from North Carolina estimate that up to 1 in 20 U.S. school children may have a FASD and that 57 percent of women drank alcohol before becoming pregnant and 7.3 percent continued drinking during pregnancy; this means an estimated 8,628 babies are born in NC with alcohol exposure; and

Whereas, the good health and well-being of the people of North Carolina are enhanced by the support of a state and national effort to educate about and prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies and build FASD-informed communities; and

Whereas, people with FASD who are not properly diagnosed and supported have considerably higher rates of mental illness, substance use disorders, and justice involvement than the general population; and proper diagnosis and supports are protective factors; and

Whereas, the United States Congress has reaffirmed its dedication to addressing FASD at all levels through the inclusion of FASD provisions in the SUPPORT Reauthorization Act, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening both national and state capacity to support people with FASD and families; and

Whereas, a comprehensive, collaborative approach will strengthen advocacy efforts and will help to advance research, professional training, and access to services and resources throughout people’s lives; and

Whereas, the NC Fetal Alcohol Prevention Program (Proof Alliance NC) joins with NCFASD Informed and other FASD United Affiliates as well as many dedicated volunteers, health care professionals, educators, and parent groups by participating in this promotion;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-seventh day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.