What is Impact Week?
Join advocates, clinicians, researchers, and professionals from around the country for three days of advocacy, action, collaboration, and community from September 15 to 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. Impact Week is your opportunity to use your voice to give FASD a seat at the table. Through workshops, advocacy, and symposiums, we will empower the community to envision a brighter future for people with FASD and gather at Capitol Hill to educate our legislators on this “not rare” disability.
Impact Week is FREE for all attendees.
Scroll down to learn more, get hotel information, purchase your tickets to the Red Shoes Gala, and see the agenda for the week.
Impact Week Agenda
September 15-17, 2025, join us in Washington, D.C., for several events where you’ll learn, collaborate, and contribute. Feel free to download and print the agenda.
Impact Week Begins In
Sneak Peek of the feature-length documentary film, FASD: In Pursuit of the Respect Act
Join Dr. Christie Petrenko for a special sneak peek of the feature-length documentary film, FASD: In Pursuit of the Respect Act, with a discussion following.
Produced by the University of Rochester, starring incredible self-advocates, we are thrilled to offer a viewing of this powerful insight into advocacy.
Sunday, September 14th. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Phillips Ballroom, Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle, 2121 P St NW, Washington, DC, 20037
Monday, September 15th. 9 am-4 pm
Phillips Ballroom, Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle, 2121 P St NW, Washington, DC, 20037
The FASD Symposium
We invite you to join our table for this symposium-style session subtitled Review, Reflect, and Direct: Goals for a United FASD Movement. These sessions will review select recommendations from the 2009 FASD National Task Force report titled “A Call to Action”, while creating an action plan reflecting on where we are now as a community. Attendees will be asked to share their thoughts and expertise as we work to direct the future of the FASD landscape.
Impact Week Poster Reception
The Impact Week Poster Reception is an opportunity for Researchers, Community Organizations, Government Agencies, State and National Organizations, and others to share information, research findings, opportunities for collaboration, and services with the broader audience at Impact Week.
This audience represents a very diverse cross-section of the FASD community and will include people with FASD and their families, clinicians and other professionals, scientists, and state and federal agency employees. Posters and materials will be presented in plain language for a general non-scientific audience.
Monday, September 15th. 4:30 pm to 6 pm
Phillips Ballroom, Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle, 2121 P St NW, Washington, DC, 20037
Tuesday, September 16th. 9 am-10 am Kickoff, 10:30 am-4:30 pm Hill Visits
Kickoff: Phillips Ballroom, Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle, 2121 P St NW, Washington, DC, 20037
Advocacy Day on the Hill
Hill Day is your opportunity to make your voice heard. Help us build a bigger table by educating legislators on FASD and advocating for FASD awareness and support with your members of the House and Senate. Now more than ever, FASD needs your voice on the hill. Join us and be part of the movement to build a bigger table and create FASD-informed systems.
Are you nervous about setting or attending meetings? We totally get it, and that’s why we will hold practice sessions before Impact Week for attendees who want to know what to expect!
The Red Shoes Gala
The FASD United Gala, held at the National Press Club, celebrates its 35th year in 2025. The Red Shoes Gala is a black-tie optional event, so formal or cocktail dress and your best Red Shoes are appropriate.
The Red Shoes Gala is FASD United’s largest fundraiser of the year. Funds raised go to support programs that aren’t funded through federal dollars, like our advocacy for meaningful legislative change.
This is the only paid activity during Impact week.
Tuesday, September 16th. 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
The National Press Club, 529 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20045
Wednesday, September 17th. 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Phillips Ballroom, Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle, 2121 P St NW, Washington, DC, 20037
USU CHSR and FASD United Partners Workshops
Join our partners at USU CHSR as they provide updates on examining FASD in the Military Healthcare System, including expanding diagnostic capacity through a hub-and-spoke model. Then, participate in interactive workshops on interventions and support for people with FASD or hear about other emerging research in the field. Content is relevant to all stakeholders, from professionals to people with living experience.
Location and Lodging
Impact Week events other than Hill Visits and The Red Shoes Gala will be held at Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle, 2121 P St NW, Washington, DC, 20037. This hotel has close access to the hill and many other popular locations. Numerous hotels at multiple price points are throughout the area; however, if you book your hotel through the FASD United room block, we have negotiated a special rate.
Quantities are limited.
