In boardrooms and meeting rooms, classrooms and virtual sessions across Alberta, FASD Prevention Conversation Facilitators are doing something powerful: creating space for professionals to think differently about FASD and substance use during pregnancy.
And while we bring important information—about the brain, about prevention, about why this work matters—it’s often the way we bring that information that determines how it lands.
Whether you’re leading sessions with educators, health care providers, social workers, or youth service teams, the strategies you use to teach can make all the difference. Below are six approaches facilitators can use to support deeper engagement, better retention, and more meaningful dialogue.
1. Lead with a Trauma-Informed Lens
We never really know what people are walking in with—grief, burnout, lived experience, or even personal stories related to substance use and parenting. That’s why many facilitators are embedding trauma-informed practices right from the start. It’s not just about what we say, but about how we hold space.
Try this: Start your session with a gentle “What I bring with me today” check-in. Let participants respond with one word, an emoji, or just a head nod. No pressure to share—just an invitation to arrive fully, and to be met with care.
Trauma-informed facilitation also means offering breaks, allowing people to step out if needed, and making sure participation is never forced. It’s about building trust before diving into content that can sometimes be personal or heavy.
2. Break It Down with Microlearning
Let’s be honest—no one remembers everything from a two-hour workshop. That’s where microlearning comes in. Instead of loading up on facts, facilitators are chunking content into bite-sized pieces that professionals can actually digest.
Think of each topic—like the neurodevelopmental impact of prenatal alcohol exposure or the importance of early diagnosis—as its own mini conversation. Add a short story, a visual, or a quick discussion question to bring it to life.
Try this: After a 5-minute overview on alcohol and pregnancy, ask: “What’s something you’ve heard from clients that challenges this information?” A simple question like that can lead to a powerful, relevant exchange.
3. Let Stories Lead the Way
Facts are important. But it’s often the stories that stay with people.
Facilitators have found that real-life examples—shared with care and permission—create connection, shift perspectives, and bring a human face to what can otherwise feel like a clinical topic. Stories help us move beyond policy and practice to the heart of why prevention matters.
Try this: Share an anonymized story about a client who received support early—and what changed because of it. Then invite your audience to consider: “What was the turning point in this story? What would have happened without support?”
4. Get People Involved with Active Learning
Gone are the days of sitting through 50-slide PowerPoints. People learn best when they’re involved—especially professionals who are already stretched and distracted.
Facilitators are making sessions more interactive with tools like polling, breakout discussions, role play, and real-time scenarios. These methods not only keep people engaged, they also help bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Try this: Share a common scenario—maybe a prenatal nurse is unsure how to approach a conversation about alcohol with a client. Ask the group to brainstorm what to say, what to avoid, and how to stay compassionate. It’s real, it’s relevant, and it sticks.
5. Make Learning Accessible for All
Everyone learns differently. Some people need visuals. Others want time to reflect. Some want to talk it out. Some don’t.
That’s why many facilitators are drawing from Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—an approach that considers diverse learning styles from the start. The idea is to offer multiple ways to access, engage with, and express learning.
Try this: Offer a written handout to go along with your presentation, and follow up with a short email summary afterward. Encourage people to jot down a takeaway in a format that suits them—on a sticky note, in a drawing, or just in their head. The more flexible we are, the more inclusive we become.
6. Ground It in Culture and Community
Prevention doesn’t live in a vacuum. It’s deeply connected to history, culture, and context. That’s why it’s so important to adapt sessions to reflect the communities we’re working in—especially when working in Indigenous, rural, or newcomer settings.
Facilitators are increasingly partnering with cultural leaders, Elders, and community voices to ensure that what’s being shared is relevant, respectful, and rooted in relationship. It’s not just about being inclusive—it’s about being responsive.
Try this: If you’re facilitating in a community that has a strong Indigenous presence, consider co-presenting with a local Knowledge Keeper. If you’re in a multicultural setting, invite discussion about how different cultural beliefs may influence how substance use and pregnancy are viewed. These conversations build bridges—and trust.
Facilitating conversations about FASD prevention isn’t easy. You’re often stepping into spaces where people are tired, overbooked, and maybe even skeptical. But the work matters. And the way you show up—curious, compassionate, creative—can open doors to real change.
So whether you’re talking about alcohol and pregnancy, youth risk factors, or foundational brain science, remember: you don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to create the kind of learning space where good questions are welcome—and where people feel safe enough to explore new ways of thinking.
Because that’s what real prevention looks like: conversation, reflection, and connection.