You don’t need a connection to FASD to wear the pendant, but by purchasing it you are supporting women who may be struggling to reclaim their lives. Wearing the “Warrior Mom” pendant lets others know that you believe in approaching FASD prevention and recovery from alcohol or substance addiction with an open heart.

The Circle of Hope (COH), also known as the Birth Mother’s Network (BMN), was founded in 2004. It is a network of women who have consumed alcohol during pregnancy and may have a child or children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Members are lovingly referred to as “Warrior Moms” because of their incredible strengths. Many of the women are in recovery from alcoholism, or alcohol and drug addiction. However, the network also includes women without the disease of addiction, but who drank alcohol during pregnancy. The women of the COH/BMN support one another in recovery and/or through the challenges of parenting a child with FASD. They serve as mentors to one another, and collectively seek to overcome the stigmatization of alcoholism, addiction and FASD.

To learn more about the COH contact Kathy Mitchell at NOFAS.

“This devastating disease is entirely preventable, and yet it continues to impact our communities,” said Johnson. “The bill we reintroduced today seeks a balance between directing federal resources to prevention and research activities and services for individuals living with FASD and their families.”

The bill would provide federal grants for pilot projects to determine and implement the best practices for educating children with FASD within school systems, as well as educating professionals about services for children. Funding would also be made available to improve services for individuals who experience trouble with the law and become involved in the Juvenile or criminal justice systems.

Prospects for a companion bill in the House of Representatives are uncertain. NOFAS encourages advocates to contact their U.S. Senators and urge them to consider cosponsoring the legislation.

The Center promotes the prevention of FASD and addresses the needs of individuals and families affected by FASD. Northrop Grumman and its partners will provide services to prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies and the affects of the disorder on individuals by screening women of childbearing age and individuals with an FASD for substance abuse and/or mental disorders and making appropriate service referrals in order to improve their lives.

Carson and his family live in Tallahassee, Florida. He loves sports including flag football and basketball. He’s favorite professional basketball player is Jimmer Fredette and his favorite team is BYU (Brigham Young University Cougars). Besides sports he excels in spelling, brings home 100% test scores, but he does struggle with other subjects like math and reading.

Earlier this month on a Caribbean cruise, Tracey and Trent competed in the Castaway Cay 5k race to raise awareness and funds for FAS. Tracy finished 7th overall (2nd female) with a time of 27:05 and Trent finished with a time of 41:11 (first, he jokes in the overweight, over 40 year-old category). They got their friends and others to sponsor them and exceeded their goal of raising $250 for NOFAS, raising $255.

They plan to go cruising again in November with a group of over 30 family and friends and hope to get at least 10 or more to run with them (including Carson) as a fundraiser for NOFAS and FAS awareness; their goal for that race is $1000.

While the family is working hard to meet Carson’s needs they are happy to have a diagnosis and support from our community. NOFAS is pleased to recognize Trent, Tracey and their whole family for their generosity and their efforts to raise awareness about the risk of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Washington, D.C. — Prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable cause of intellectual disabilities and birth defects in America.  The ninth day of the ninth month—September 9^th—is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day and serves as an important reminder that alcohol-related birth defects can be completely prevented when women abstain from alcohol while pregnant.

FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.

Because no amount of alcohol can be considered safe during pregnancy and FASD is completely preventable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Surgeon General advise that, “A pregnant woman, or a woman who is considering becoming pregnant, should abstain from alcohol,” adding, “A pregnant woman who has already consumed alcohol during pregnancy should stop in order to minimize the risk.”

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health, supports research to understand how alcohol exposure during pregnancy interferes with fetal development and how FASD can be identified and prevented. Scientists continue to make tremendous strides, providing important new insights into the nature of FASD and potential intervention and treatment strategies.

“Research tells us that while heavy and binge drinking during pregnancy pose the greatest risk, moderate and light drinking is linked to stillbirth, problems with attention and judgment, and poor social skills.  A significant challenge is overcoming the mixed messages and misconceptions about the risk of light drinking. No amount is completely safe, why take the risk?” says Tom Donaldson, president of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS).

NOFAS serves as a resource for individuals and families living with FASD and works to raise public awareness of the risk of prenatal alcohol exposure and prevent FASD. NOFAS vice president Kathy Mitchell reflects on the unfair stigma surrounding women who do drink, “I’ve never met a woman who intentionally harmed her child by drinking. Either they didn’t know they were pregnant, they may have been misinformed of the risk by their doctor or the media, or they need and deserve access to therapeutic treatment services.”

NIAAA acting director Ken Warren sums up the aim of awareness day, “The message is simple, not just on Sept. 9, but every day. Women who are, who may be, or who are trying to become pregnant, should not drink alcohol.”

Researchers conducted tests on a group of 5-year-old children whose mothers consumed low to moderate amounts of alcohol in pregnancy. The papers found no serious effects on three neurodevelopmental functions.

Although rarely mentioned in media coverage of the papers, the study investigated just a few of the numerous possible harmful outcomes of low to moderate alcohol use during pregnancy. Many previous studies show that drinking alcohol at low to moderate levels during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, and a range of reproductive difficulties. For example, a recent publication by Danish researchers who were also studying the effect of alcohol on pregnancy using the same Danish National Birth Cohort used in the five new studies found even low amounts of alcohol consumption during early pregnancy substantially increased the risk of spontaneous abortion.

Because alcohol can affect each pregnancy differently for a variety of reasons such as genetics, metabolism, and nutrition it is both inaccurate and careless to use the finding as the rationale for suggesting that consuming a substance known to be a neurotoxin to a developing baby, even in small amounts, is without risk.

In general it is true that the lower the exposure to a toxin substance the lower the risk, but a reduced risk does not make the toxic substance become non-toxic. In most cases when a toxin is identifiedâ?”even if very few people among all that are exposed are harmedâ?”the public is informed that the substance has been found to be toxic and they are advised to avoid exposure (such as to some pharmaceuticals that pregnant women are told to avoid or in some cases not even handle). Perhaps it reflects the important cultural tradition of alcohol in America and other societies when some are eager to tell others that low to moderate quantities of a substance known to be a neurotoxin during pregnancy is okay.

The level of risk that people are willing to tolerate is a personal choice. Ask yourself, would you knowingly allow your children to be exposed to low or moderate levels of lead, mercury, asbestos, radon gas, or other harmful substances? While some might, it is reckless for them to advise others to take a course of action based on their personal tolerance of risk. When a risk has been confirmed the only universal recommendation can be to avoid or abstain from exposure due to the risk.

NOFAS encourages readers to review all the research on low to moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and joins the United States Surgeon General in advising abstention from alcohol during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects.

*The Lifestyle During Pregnancy Study is a prospective follow-up of 1750 mother—child pairs, sampled on the basis of maternal alcohol drinking patterns from The Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC), a study of 101,042 pregnancies enrolled 1997—2003. Data collection in the DNBC involved four prenatal and postnatal maternal interviews, providing detailed information on maternal alcohol drinking patterns before and during pregnancy, caffeine intake, smoking, diet, and other lifestyle, medical, and sociodemographic factors.

Watch the full press conference.

Watch video of individual speakers

William J. Edwards, JD, Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office
Edward Riley, PhD, Director, Center for Behavioral Teratology San Diego State University
Stephen Greenspan, PhD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Colorado
George Woods, MD, Morehouse School of Medicine
Fred Bookstein, PhD, Scientific Director, Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, University of Washington
Karen Thiel, PhD, JD, Of Counsel, Patton Boggs LLP
Richard Adler, MD, Forensic and Clinical Psychiatry, Private Practice
Katharine Boyce, Partner, Patton Boggs LLP; Chair, Board of Directors, NOFAS

Kathryn Kelly, Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, University of Washington
The Honorable Anthony Wartnik, Retired Trial Judge; Principal, FASD Experts

After an opening depiction of FASD by Ed Riley, PhD, Director of the Center for Behavioral Teratology at San Diego State University, Edwards, also a member of the journal’s editorial board, summarized the issues covered in the peer-reviewed papers, including the competency of a defendant with FASD to stand trial or waive their rights, mitigation, confessions, mens rea (the criminal intent or the knowledge by the defendant that the act is wrong), sentencing, placement and services, the death penalty and the victimization of individuals with FASD.

In describing the purpose of the focus on FASD, Edwards said both the public’s perception and policies need to be changed to recognize the significance of FASD and account for individuals with the condition that encounter the juvenile and criminal justice systems. He added that, “FASD is not an excuse to a defense, but rather a valid issue in [criminal] representation.” As a possible outcome of the journal articles, he said he wished the spotlight on the issue would help, “Change the way courts look at FASD and perhaps lead to an exclusion from the death penalty for persons with FASD.”

Several other experts who authored papers in the journal who also spoke at the press conference included, Rich Adler, PhD, a forensic and clinical psychiatrist in private practice, Fred Bookstein, PhD, Professor of Morphometrics at the University of Vienna and a Professor of Statistics at the University of Washington, Stephen Greenspan, PhD, clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado, Kay Kelly, Project Director of the FASD Legal Issues Resource Center at the University of Washington, Karen Thiel, PhD, at Patton Boggs LLP in Washington, D.C., the Honorable Anthony Wartnik, George Woods, MD, of the Morehouse School of Medicine, and NOFAS Vice President Kathy Mitchell and her daughter Karli. NOFAS President Tom Donaldson presided over the press conference.

A copy of the Winter 2010 and Spring 2011 editions of the Journal of Psychiatry and Lawfeaturing FASD, or selected articles, may be obtained from Federal Legal Publications

PRESS CONFERENCE PROGRAM

FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. FASD is recognized as the leading preventable cause of developmental disabilities and birth defects, affecting as many as 40,000 newborns each year in the United States. Alcohol is a neurotoxin with the capacity to interfere with human development at any time during gestation. Since 1981, the U.S. Surgeon General as advised that there is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy and, that due to the risk of birth defects, women who are pregnant or are considering pregnancy should abstain from alcohol.

NOFAS is a non-profit public health advocacy organization striving to prevent FASD and support individuals and families living with the condition. NOFAS is the only national organization focused solely on FASD.

In addition to Edwards, the press conference will feature NOFAS officials, authors published in the Journal, and leading FASD experts. A brief overview of the topics and conclusions published in the two editions of the Journal will be followed by a question and answer session with media, and policy recommendations for addressing FASD in the justice system.

Participating FASD and legal experts include:

• Katharine Boyce, Partner, Patton Boggs LLP; Chair, Board of Directors, NOFAS
• Edward Riley, PhD, Director, Center for Behavioral Teratology San Diego State University
• William J. Edwards, JD, Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office
• Rich Adler, MD, Forensic and Clinical Psychiatry, Private Practice
• Fred Bookstein, PhD, Scientific Director, Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, University of Washington
• Stephen Greenspan, PhD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Colorado
• Kathryn Kelly, Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, University of Washington
• Karen Thiel, PhD, JD, Of Counsel, Patton Boggs LLP
• The Honorable Anthony Wartnik, Retired Trial Judge; Principal, FASD Experts
• George Woods, MD, Morehouse School of Medicine
• Kathy Mitchell, MHS, Vice President, NOFAS
• Karli Schrider, Volunteer, NOFAS

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and the Criminal Justice System
Thursday, November 17, 2011
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
National Press Club
529 14th Street, 13th Floor
4th Estate Room
Washington, D.C.

The event is open to the press and the public. RSVP to Brianna Montgomery.

PRESS CONFERENCE PROGRAM

FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. FASD is recognized as the leading preventable cause of developmental disabilities and birth defects, affecting as many as 40,000 newborns each year in the United States. Alcohol is a neurotoxin with the capacity to interfere with human development at any time during gestation. Since 1981, the U.S. Surgeon General as advised that there is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy and, that due to the risk of birth defects, women who are pregnant or are considering pregnancy should abstain from alcohol.

NOFAS is a non-profit public health advocacy organization striving to prevent FASD and support individuals and families living with the condition. NOFAS is the only national organization focused solely on FASD.

She also was firm about something else that came from her core: though NOFAS was founded as a prevention organization, Kennedy repeated often that its success would be defined by how well it supports and provides for the children and adults living with FAS. Her counsel for the organization to do all it can on behalf of individuals with FAS—and then a little bit more—will always be a NOFAS hallmark.

As Munter’s key advisor and mentor, Kara Kennedy put her television production background to use by helping to develop public service announcements for NOFAS featuring celebrities Bonnie Raitt, Queen Latifah, and Jimmy Smits. She took the lead to put together a benefit concert starring Carole King at her father’s home, and enlisted her cousin, Dr. William Kennedy Smith, to start the very first FAS medical school curriculum. The project needed funding so she solicited the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation to provide a grant. She convinced another cousin, Rory Kennedy, to produce a video a depicting the challenges faced by women with alcohol dependence. So much of what NOFAS has accomplished is linked directly to Kennedy.

As much as she did for the cause what defines Kara Kennedy is her abiding compassion, selfless values, utter sincerity, and above all her constant devotion to her family and friends. This is who she was and what mattered to her. Several years ago, NOFAS told Kennedy the organization wanted to honor her at its annual benefit event. She quietly suggested that instead NOFAS recognize a young woman she knew who was living with FAS and succeeding, in part, through support from NOFAS. Another important board leader introduced to NOFAS by Kennedy, Terry Lierman, says it best, “She was always there, but she was there for the cause and not for her own visibility.”

On behalf of Chairman Kate Boyce, Founder Patti Munter, the Board of Directors and Advisory Board, the staff, its thirty affiliate organizations, and the children and adults touched by FAS, NOFAS expresses its deepest gratitude for Kara Kennedy and offers condolences to her family. Although she wouldn’t hear of such praise, Kara Kennedy will always be a treasure and a hero to us all.

Ed Riley, PhD, is the Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Psychology; and the Director of the Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University. His is member of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) Board of Directors, the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Steering Committee for the FASD Center for Excellence, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. He is among the preeminent figures and authorities on FASD worldwide.

is a multilingual website sponsored by SABMiller, one of the world’s largest brewers. The site is about encouraging people to make healthy choices about alcohol.

The 29-member NOFAS Affiliate Network also meets this week in Washington to discuss coalition initiatives and expand communication among member organizations. The network was founded in 2001 and seeks to bring a unified voice to the call for increased recognition for people with FASD and attention to the risk of birth defects linked to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Advocates will also be meeting with their Congressional delegations to urge greater attention and investment for FASD research and public health measures.

2011 NOFAS Leadership Awards Benefit Invitation

2011 NOFAS Leadership Awards Benefit Program