Mennis Award Winner Named
June 15, 2009

PCPA is pleased to announce the selection of the COMHAR Philadelphia Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Initiative as the recipient of the 2009 Marilyn Mennis Memorial Award. Established in 1995, the award is presented annually and honors the person or organization which best represents and embodies Mennis’ qualities of dedication, caring, leadership, and advocacy on behalf of Pennsylvanian’s children with severe social, emotional, and behavioral problems and their families.

“The Children's Committee became enlightened to the needs of children with FASD primarily through the work of the COMHAR project, noted Tammy Marsico, committee co-chair. “ Individuals involved in the project gave freely of their time over the past several years to attend meetings and share information. Their commitment to developing a service system for these children and families is evident in their advocacy.”  

COMHAR, Inc. is a private, nonprofit community-based human services agency in Philadelphia and one of eight providers nationwide awarded a subcontract in 2008 for FASD Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment/Intervention from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are the leading preventable cause of developmental disabilities and birth defects. An FASD is a life-long and largely invisible disability that is underreported, While obtaining an exact estimate of prevalence is difficult, in 2001, it was estimated that about one percent of children have an FASD. A recent study concluded that this estimate is “substantially low.”

The Philadelphia FASD Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Initiative involves a partnership with two city health groups, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children – Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Center City Pediatrics. Both services offer diagnostic teams that may include a pediatrician or developmental pediatrician, nurse/nurse practitioner, medical specialists, occupational therapist, child psychologist, social worker, parent advocate, and a physical therapist and speech language pathologist as necessary. The program goal is to improve the functioning and quality of life of children and their families through diagnosis, intervention, and case management.

The selection of the Philadelphia FASD Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Initiative for the 2009 Marilyn Mennis Memorial Award is based on the projects embodiment of several children’s domain goals of the association, in particular:

1. The project uses state and federal initiatives as catalysts and opportunities for child serving system improvement;
2. It reflects effective operational, administrative, and business skill and practices in the health, mental health, and child welfare purchase of service and operational contexts;
3. Promising treatment and service practices are promoted that provide outcome data, evidence of efficacy, and reflect a vision of recovery and resiliency; and
4. The project promotes service design and delivery for target populations.

Finally, the committee felt strongly that by selecting this innovative program it would highlight awareness about FASD, early childhood mental health, physical health-mental health collaboration, and the need to expand the use of evidence based practices.

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