Generation O Announces Community Outreach and Education Agreement with DEA Ahead of First National Opioid Settlement Conference, Urging Leaders: “Don’t Forget the Children”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 29, 2026
Generation O Announces Community Outreach and Education Agreement with DEA Ahead of First National Opioid Settlement Conference, Urging Leaders: “Don’t Forget the Children”
Grassroots nonprofit advocates for long-term support of children impacted by opioid exposure during pregnancy as national leaders convene to shape opioid settlement investments.
FLORIDA, USA — May 29, 2026 — Generation O: The National Organization for Opioid-Exposed Children today announced a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), establishing opportunities for collaboration around public education, prevention awareness, and community outreach.
The milestone comes as Generation O prepares to present at the inaugural National Opioid Settlement Conference (NOSC) — the first convening of its kind bringing together attorneys general, policymakers, public health leaders, advocates, and organizations to discuss the future of opioid settlement implementation across the United States.
Generation O says it is entering the conference with an urgent message:
America must not forget the children growing up in the aftermath of the opioid crisis.
Public health data suggests hundreds of thousands — and potentially more than one million — children may have been impacted by prenatal opioid exposure nationwide, though comprehensive long-term tracking data does not currently exist. Yet, co-founders say far too little attention has been paid to what happens to these children beyond infancy.
While national attention has rightly focused on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), Generation O says far too little attention — and too little dedicated investment — is being directed toward the long-term needs of school-age children and teenagers living with the ripple effects of opioid exposure during pregnancy every day.
These are children navigating developmental, behavioral, sensory, emotional, and learning challenges that often emerge over time.
Many are also living with trauma, disrupted caregiving, foster care involvement, grief, and the chronic stress of growing up in environments shaped by addiction.
“We already know many of the strategies that help opioid-exposed children and their caregivers succeed,” said Lenette Serlo, CEO of Generation O. “The challenge now is making sure families can actually access that knowledge, support, and intervention early enough to change long-term outcomes.”
The Memorandum of Agreement with the DEA establishes a framework for collaboration on public education, prevention awareness, and community outreach efforts aligned with shared goals related to substance misuse prevention.
Generation O believes prevention does not end at birth. Supporting children affected by prenatal opioid exposure through caregiver education, regulation strategies, developmental support, and early intervention is essential to improving long-term outcomes and strengthening families.
At the National Opioid Settlement Conference, Generation O will advocate for dedicated opioid settlement investments supporting children and families affected by prenatal opioid exposure, including:
● Peer support and caregiver education
● Enhanced early intervention services focused on regulation and sensory support
● Training for pediatric, education, and child-serving professionals
● Comprehensive developmental guidance for families across childhood and adolescence
“As billions of opioid settlement dollars continue to be distributed nationwide, this first national opioid settlement conference represents a historic opportunity,” said Serlo. “The question is whether we will act boldly enough to ensure children impacted by opioid exposure during pregnancy are not overlooked — and are given every opportunity to thrive.”
Founded by volunteer parents — including parents of opioid-exposed children — and advocates working to build the organization from the ground up, Generation O was created after families repeatedly found themselves without answers, resources, or recognition for the long-term needs of these children.
Co-founders and volunteers say the organization was born from both lived experience and an urgent belief that children impacted by prenatal opioid exposure deserve long-term support, visibility, and hope.
Generation O leaders hope the conference will elevate the voices of children too often left out of the national opioid settlement conversation and encourage settlement leaders to prioritize long-term investments in healing across generations.
Their message to policymakers, attorneys general, funders, and decision-makers is simple:
Opioid-exposed children are not doomed — they can thrive when families have the right support.
About Generation O
Generation O, The National Organization for Opioid-Exposed Children, is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families impacted by opioid exposure during pregnancy through advocacy, prevention, mentorship, education, and community-centered support.
Media Contact:
Cammy Livingston Aaron, Co-Founder
Generation O, The National Organization for Opioid-Exposed Children
Cammy@GenerationO.org
www.GenerationO.org