We offer a variety of services to help individuals, groups and organizations. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, support worker, educator or other professional, the Neurobehavioral Model will support the work you do.
Through consultation, education and training, we:
- Ignite a transformational process and understanding of brain-based conditions such as FASD from a personal and professional perspective through the use and application of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model
- Empower people to make positive changes in their relationships with others and their communities
- Develop an understanding of the source of our deeply held beliefs and values and how they inform our relationship with others
- Recognize that each person and their lived experience is unique and complex.
Training Services
Workshop formats (NASW and MHACBO CEUs available):
- Introduction to The Neurobehavioural Model – 1.5 – 3 hour sessions
- One-Day Condensed Workshop – 7 hours
- Two- and Three-Day in-depth Workshops (recommended) – 12 or 18 hours
- Customized workshops for specific groups
- Webinars for groups up to 15
Note: Understanding the Neurobehavioral Model and developing consistent accommodations for individuals with FASD takes time. Learning to look at, and respond to, behaviors differently means creating a new paradigm or perspective for the meaning of behaviors. This process takes practice and is real physical work for our brains! Consider this when looking at workshop options and be patient with yourself as you begin to apply the information and tools.
Please contact Nathalie at nbrassard@fascets.org for more details.
Consultation Services
Consultation services on the brain-based approach to FASD and other brain-based conditions are available for caregivers, support workers/professionals, agencies and for larger community groups. These services may include but are not limited to:
- Assessment of current practices and fit with the needs of individuals living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and other brain-based conditions
- Delivery of individualized workshops on the NB Model
- Support in the implementation and application of the NB Model
- Support in the development of resources to support the application of the NB Model
Please contact Nathalie at nbrassard@fascets.org for more details.
What Is The Neurobehavioral Model?
FASCETS has created an approach to understanding FASD from a completely different perspective, known as the Neurobehavioral Model. This model is applicable to FASD and any other brain-based conditions, including, but not limited to, autism, ADHD, acquired brain injuries, stroke, dementia, and many others. Our model helps establish the link between the brain function and presenting behaviors.
The gift of the neurobehavioral model is in redefining behavioral symptoms in a manner consistent with research. A profound shift is created in moving from anger to compassion, from blaming to acceptance, lessening frustration on all sides, and improving outcomes.
The Neurobehavioral Model was developed over 25 years ago by Diane Malbin. The nonprofit, FASCETS, was established to continue to provide information and training on the Neurobehavioral Model, which has now touched the lives of thousands worldwide.
The work of our organization is now facilitated by a team of individuals trained by Diane. They are carrying on her work of disseminating the brain-based approach, training new facilitators, and developing new material.
Meet Our Team
We offer a variety of services to help individuals, groups and organizations. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, support worker, educator or other professional, the Neurobehavioral Model will support the work you do.
Staff
Nathalie Brassard, Executive Director
Stacey Chart, Office Administrator and Program Director
Melissa Elligson, Program Director
Suzanne Emery, Program Director
Lynn Alsup, Program Director
Board of Directors
Interested in joining our Board of Directors? Download the 2021-04, FASCETS Board Recruitment Annoucement document or contact us.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shannon Iaccobacci
CHAIR
Shannon resides in Southern California, is a consultant and Certified Facilitator of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model, and a board member of the FASD Network of Southern California.
She came to FASCETS seeking answers for one of her children and quickly discovered four of her six children have an FASD. She implemented the Neurobehavioral Model in her own home and saw how well it worked with her children. Shannon’s passion for advocating, empowering, and facilitating change for those with invisible disabilities lead her to join the board with a vision to see this material reach as many people as possible.
She is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management, has an extensive background in HR, business management, and government contract negotiations, working with businesses nationwide. She has over seven years of experience in non-profit organizational management, serving such roles as Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Events Coordinator, and Membership Director.
Shannon has aided in facilitating a foster/adoption parenting class for a large youth and family services organization in Southern California and is currently a university guest speaker on the topics of foster care/adoption, trauma, and FASD.
Julia Rivera
Sil Pienovi
Sil is an executive leader and consultant to the healthcare industry regionally and nationally.
He lives in Portland with partner Christine, and is an adoptive parent of an adult son with FASD.
He has worked for and consulted to regional health systems (Intermountain Healthcare, Providence St Joseph Health), managed care companies (Ethix National PPO, New York Life HMO), and numerous physician groups, including The Portland Clinic, Zoom+Care, Peace Health Networks On-Demand, The Children’s Clinic, and Children’s Health Alliance.
He is known for assisting clients with strategic planning and business development, spearheading value-based clinical care and cost-containment strategies, creating provider networks, negotiating health plan contracts, improving organizational governance and financial performance, and building high performance management teams.
Sil has attended several FASCETS workshops and training programs in past years, and recently joined the FASCETS Board of Directors. He is passionate about the need at this time to widely expand public awareness regarding the prevalence of FASD, and about the potential for using state of the art knowledge to help the millions of children, adults, their families, and communities affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs.
Rebecca Tillou
My name is Rebecca Tillou, and I am an adult living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
I was diagnosed at 34 years old. Since my diagnosis, I keep having all of these “ah ha” moments of my past and present. It is life altering, and I am loving this journey! I came to find Fascets when I was searching for all things FASD on the internet. I saw they were recruiting board members, and I thought this would be an amazing opportunity to join forces with others who are advocates for the FASD community. I am honored to be on the board and am blessed to have these new people in my circle!
Rexella Dwomoh
Rexella resides in Toronto, Canada. She is passionate about awareness, equity, and inclusion, which led her to join the FASCETS Board of Directors. Professionally, she is an FASD Consultant and Coordinator who utilizes the Neurobehavioral Model to support families, children, and youth with FASD while building the capacity of community agencies helping those with FASD. To sharpen her advocacy skillset, Rexella is pursuing a Master of Applied Disability Studies (M.ADS) degree in Leadership, Diversity, Community, and Culture (LDCC). Rexella aims to inform culturally and contextually sensitized policy development and program evaluation for services and resources aimed at marginalized and vulnerable populations. Beyond her professional and educational pursuits, Rexella enjoys travelling and challenges herself to travel somewhere new yearly.
Maureen O'Dea
Maureen has been a Registered Nurse, BSN, for over 28 years and is currently working in Northern Idaho as an Infection Preventionist. Nursing has always been her passion and she has worked in many settings with the same focus of helping people. Maureen served in the USAFR, Capt., was deployed during the Gulf wars and retired after 22 years. Nearly nine years ago she adopted her three youngest grandchildren and dealing with their behaviors led me to FASCETS. She started with a training course but knew immediately she wanted to learn more. She became a certified facilitator to share the Neurobehavioral Model with others. Maureen lives in a rural area where resources are scarce in general and often non-existent for challenged families of FASD. Her goal is to change this for rural areas by finding like souls and creating a coalition to support families living with neurodiverse people.
Tamra Cajo
Tamra Cajo, LCSW is a bilingual, licensed clinical social worker with almost 20 years of experience working in early childhood and prevention. Tamra currently works as the Director of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrums Disorder Clinic at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, the only diagnostic clinic in state of Florida for FASD. She also serves on the Executive Council of FASD United and as a Board Member for FASCETS. Tamra is a certified facilitator in the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model, TBRI Practitioner and was the previous lead trainer in the Midwest for ACT Raising Safe Kids, an evidence-based violence prevention curriculum. In addition, Tamra has been trained in a number of other evidence-based curriculums including Circle of Security Parenting, Families Moving Forward (FMF), Helping the Non-Compliant Child, Chicago Parent Program and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
STAFF
Nathalie Brassard
Executive Director
Nathalie is a Registered Dietitian and for over 25 years, she has worked with at-risk women and families during pregnancy and the early years, including supporting women with addiction issues and women and families living with FASD.
She became a Certified Facilitator of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model in 2014 and joined the FASCETS team as Program Director in 2015. Since then, she has continued her exploration of the Neurobehavioral Model under the mentorship of Diane Malbin.
She is the Executive Director for the organization since April 2019. Nathalie is also a consultant and facilitator with FASCETS Canada West, delivering workshops, providing support and consultation services based on the Neurobehavioral Model to service providers and families in Western Canada, Québec, and beyond.
Nathalie lives in British Columbia, Canada.
Stacey Chart
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR and program director
Stacey is our Office Administrator for FASCETS. Her background is in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. She was a lead educator at First Christian Pre-Primary for many years and spent over 10 years as a medical office professional.
She and her husband Lance raised their 3 children into adulthood before adopting their youngest daughter from Foster Care in 2013. It was then that they first learned about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Following their daughter’s FASD diagnosis, both Stacey and her husband became fierce advocates for their daughter and set out to learn as much as possible. They attended their first FASCETS workshop in 2013. It was life-changing and ultimately led them to both becoming Certified Facilitators of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model in 2016.
Stacey began a website, www.charthope.org to educate people about FASD and to share hope and personal stories. She and her husband have facilitated workshops in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and all the way to New York.
Stacey lives in Oregon with her husband and youngest daughter on a mini-farm with chickens, goats, emus, a mini-horse, dogs, cats and a large pond with ducks and koi. In addition to their young daughter, they have 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren.
Melissa Eligson
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Melissa Elligson is a Certified Facilitator of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model and a FASCETS Program Director. Melissa lives in Roanoke Virginia in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. She holds a master’s degree from Seton Hall University and has spent the past twenty years as an intensive in-home therapist, community counselor, and trainer.
Her passion is working with children and families living with neurobehavioral conditions and providing training nationally. She became frustrated that traditional models were not working within the community, and this brought her to Diane Malbin and her journey with FASCETS. Melissa is currently providing training, consultation, and family groups. She is working on developing a community-based diagnostic clinic in Southwest Virginia.
Suzanne Emery
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Suzanne has a Masters in Leadership of Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner. She is a Certified Facilitator of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model and is a FASCETS Program Director. Suzanne lived in Costa Rica for over 20 years serving families and children at risk. She worked as resident nurse at a children’s home and then as supervisor of health for a large child care organization for over 15 years. Suzanne is the founder and lead facilitator for “Created to be Free: hope for families affected by alcohol”, a project started in 2013. She leads workshops, provides consulting services, and facilitates family support groups, all in the area of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, using the FASCETS neurobehavioral model. She is a single mother of two wonderful young men; the younger has FASD. She lives in the Portland area.
Lynn Alsup
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Lynn Alsup holds a Master of Social Work degree and a certificate in Spiritual Direction. In the spring of 2014, she read Diane Malbin’s Trying Differently Rather Than Harder while researching FASD for a friend. Lynn recognized her family’s story. She dove deep into further research and began sharing her learning professionally and implementing the model at home. It transformed both her career and family. Committed to increasing understanding, support and resiliency for neurodiverse people and their families, she became a Certified Facilitator of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model in 2017. She consults with families and offers trainings across disciplines including psychiatric residency students and faculty, school educators and counselors, autism clinic providers, foster care providers, therapists, and the Learning Disability Association of America. She lives in west Texas with her husband and three extraordinary, neurodiverse daughters.
The Story of Our Logo
DIANE MALBIN
My older daughter is an artist. She, at age 17, agreed to work on the design. The only suggested parameters were that it be an image that you can look at one way and see one thing, and you can look at it another way and see something else that’s completely different: Same image, very different understanding of the same thing seen by different people. This captures FASD. None of the impressions is wrong for the person interpreting the design; it just doesn’t fit the person with FASD.
People look at our logo and see different things: It’s a snowflake. A mandala. A flower. Yes, and yet what she drew is concentric circles of people holding hands. If you look closely, you can even see tiny squiggles on the heads of the figures on the outer circle. That’s their hair.
She captured how things may be seen differently, and how information reframes the meaning and brings everyone together in shared understanding. Shared understanding creates conditions for everyone, all systems, to work together.