Who is Generation O?
We use the term Generation O to describe the generation of children born with prenatal opioid exposure during the ongoing opioid crisis, beginning in 2000.
We also use the term Generation O to describe this organization. Our mission is to support parents and caregivers through education, resources and community, and to help medical professionals and educators catch up with evolving science around prenatal opioid exposure and its long-term effects on children as they grow. We provide information and scientific research, in plain English, about the long term outcomes of prenatal opioid exposure.
We are also an alliance of moms, dads, grandparents and other caregivers, who came together to change the future for our kids. We started this organization because we were given the honor of raising opioid-exposed children, but were given very few tools to do it. We are determined to help parents and kids affected by opioids thrive by equipping them with support, education, and friendship along the way.
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Parent & Caregiver Resources
You are not alone.
Caring for a child who was prenatally exposed to opioids can be overwhelming and extraordinarily difficult. With the lack of information and resources provided to caregivers and parents embarking on this unique journey, it’s common to feel helpless.
But we are here to help. Find answers, strategies, and resources right here.
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Educator Resources
It’s Time to Catch Up.
Early intervention is the most recommended treatment for NAS and NOWS babies. Even with these therapies, as Gen O enters school, it’s not uncommon for these kids to struggle academically or behaviorally.
The education system has to catch up and begin accommodating these children and recognizing their unique needs.
Expand your knowledge and learn to better support NAS/NOWS school-age kids through our resources below.
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Medical Professional Resources
We can do better.
New parents of NAS/NOWS babies are often sent home believing that once their baby has withdrawn from opioids, they are going to be perfectly normal and will develop like any healthy baby would. Much of the time, this is far from what actually occurs. Parents are left adrift, wondering what they’re doing wrong, while babies struggle mightily with feeding, inconsolability, and ongoing withdrawal symptoms for many more months.
As these babies grow into toddlers, Early Intervention services are a must, however many parents and caregivers are not told this by their pediatrician.
Scientific research is finally beginning to catch up and provide us with helpful information about how pre-schoolers are affected by prenatal opioid exposure, and thankfully, we have good information about how older kids are impacted as well. Healthcare providers need to be specialized and well-versed in this subject, as Generation O grows up and fills the waiting rooms of their clinics.
OUR MISSION & GOALS
We envision a nation where every opioid-exposed child is empowered to thrive. Our mission is to offer unwavering support to individuals, families, and communities impacted by prenatal opioid and substance exposure. We extend our commitment beyond childhood, acknowledging potential challenges into adulthood. Our inclusive approach offers support regardless of exposure circumstances or caregiving arrangements.
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Create an awareness that all opioid use during pregnancy may have long term impacts and that affected children need support to thrive
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Help medical providers, therapeutic professionals, school staff, and all types of families recognize the spectrum of challenges an opioid-exposed child may face.
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Support hard hit communities by ensuring resources are accessible to all who need them.
WHO WE REPRESENT
Biological Families
Kinship Families
Foster Families
Adoptive Families
Make an impact today
Support Generation O by making a donation.