Many have witnessed the evolution of Central Indiana NOFAS to what is now IN Alliance or heard the story of how in 2014 I was sitting at my kitchen table, knee deep in filing paperwork to form a non-profit to raise awareness and educate on the risks of prenatal alcohol exposure because my kids needed services and providers were uninformed. To say “we’ve come a long way baby” would be an understatement. Since 2015 we have filmed two public service announcements, had our messaging on bus tails and billboards in the Indianapolis area – twice, trained hundreds of individuals, added FASD to the radar of several state systems, through partnership with the IN FASD Coalition got the governor to sign a FASD Day Proclamation and our advocacy work was recognized by Indiana’s Family to Family organization. We have been BUSY.
With all that we have accomplished, it is time to turn reins over to our new Executive Director, Jackie Franks. She is brilliant and will lead IN Alliance to the next level growth along Emelia Ottinger our new Outreach and Development Director as I step into my role as a full-time for FASD United on November 1st. I will serve IN Alliance in staff role until the end of the year and volunteer where it would be helpful after that.
Thank you for your support through the journey and please continue to extend your support and expertise to IN Alliance and spread the word there is no amount of alcohol that is 100% safe during pregnancy.
It has been my honor to serve,
Susan Elsworth
