Welcome to the Circle of Hope (COH), also known as the Birth Mother's Network (BMN). The COH/BMN was founded in 2004 by NOFAS Vice President Kathy Mitchell. 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 alcohol, or alcohol and drug addiction. However, the network also includes women without the diseases of alcoholism or 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 women newly in recovery, and collectively seek to overcome the stigmatization of alcoholism, addiction and FASD.
The COH/BMN is supported by the
SAMHSA Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Center for Excellence.
What are the messages of the COH/BMN?
• Women CAN and DO achieve successful recovery from alcoholism and addiction.
• Women need support from other women.
• Women who have used alcohol or other substances deserve access to therapeutic support and treatment.
• The stigma and shame in society surrounding alcoholism, addiction and FASD must be removed.
• Hope for Recovery!
What does the COH/BMN provide?
• Peer support.
• Mentoring for new members.
• Support for long-term recovery from alcoholism and addiction.
• Support for moms who are in crisis and need help.
• Referrals for FASD and addiction treatment services.
• An all expenses paid trip to the annual COH/BMN Retreat (May 3, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee).
• Paid speaking engagements for members to promote the COH/BMN.
• Free FASD prevention materials for dissemination to health and human service agencies such as hospitals, physicians offices and clinics, addiction treatment programs, schools and education programs, and all aspects of the criminal justice system, from law enforcement, the courts and correctional systems.
• Speakers and trainers on the many facets of FASD and/or addiction. Need a speaker or trainer? Visit the NOFAS Speakers Bureau.
Who may join the COH/BMN?
• Any woman who has consumed alcohol during pregnancy and may have a child with FASD.
• To become a member of the COH/BMN click on Join the Circle of Hope.
We invite you to join our network today and become involved with other birth families. Together, as "Warrior Moms", we can recover and heal!
The Member's page consists of a variety of resources including notes from meetings, news articles featuring members, FASD links and COH/BMN marketing materials.
Circle of Hope founder Kathy Mitchell (third from left) and other COH/BMN members at a 2009 meeting in Canada.
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