The FASD United logo’s circle of rainbow colors reflects the spectrum of individuals living with FASD. The circular logo symbolizes unity, while the diverse size and colors of the circles represent the varied richness of our communities joining together to find solutions to improve outcomes for individuals and their families living with FASD.

FASD United was established in 1990 as the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS). Activist and author, Patricia Munter, a contributor to Rolling Stone magazine, learned of the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), then known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), firsthand in visits to communities in New Mexico and South Dakota.

Unable to find an organized effort to educate the public about the risk of PAE, she united leaders in South Dakota, including U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, nurse and future Tribal leader, Cecilia Fire Thunder, and Michael Dorris, author of The Broken Cord, in the development of a new national organization to prevent PAE and support individuals and families affected by FASD.

After the organization was incorporated in South Dakota, FASD United moved its headquarters to Washington, D.C. in September 1991 and launched its mission to help families connect with one another and find the limited FASD-informed resources and services. This inspired the organization to rally lawmakers to raise public attention and investment for the cause.

Through the years, FASD United has developed and advocated for many new programs that have contributed to important progress. One of our most exciting is the Family Navigator program.

Now the challenge is to push ahead further and faster, together as a determined, united movement which fulfills the promise of prevention and meets the needs of the courageous and deserving children, adults, and families living with FASDs.