Family Connects’ Strategic Plan to Envision a National Standard for Postpartum Care 

Family Connects’ Strategic Plan to Envision a National Standard for Postpartum Care 

Family Connects is announcing the launch of its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, marking a new chapter in the organization’s evolution under President & CEO Jade Woodard’s leadership. The plan articulates a bold aspiration to ensure every family with a newborn is supported, connected, and confident as they navigate the early postpartum period together. 

Grounded in more than a decade of research and implementation, the plan builds on the Family Connects Model and nationwide reach to lead the organization toward its next phase of impact: advancing newborn nurse visita as a national standard of care for each and every growing family. 

Over the past year, Family Connects has aligned its growth, partnerships, and national voice around a singular goal: ensuring support after birth is built into the systems that serve families. 

“Families are strongest when they receive the right support at the right time,” said Jade Woodard, President & CEO of Family Connects. “Over the past year, we’ve focused on how to ensure that support is expected, accessible, and built into the systems that serve families.” 

Since 2017, the Family Connects model has supported more than 155,000 families across 21 states in 94 communities, demonstrating improved maternal and child health outcomes, as well as reduced emergency medical care use and rates of CPS involvement. 

To further a national standard of postpartum care, the strategic plan elevates five priorities: 

• Building organizational capacity for scale, quality, and trust  

• Diversifying funding and strengthening champions  

• Advancing partnerships, policy, and systems integration  

• Leveraging research, learning, and innovation  

• Establishing a national standard for postpartum nurse visiting  

As maternal health challenges persist and systems of care remain difficult to navigate, Family Connects’ strategy calls for coordinated, accessible solutions that provide support before challenges become crises—for all families with newborns. 

“We are entering a moment of both urgency and opportunity,” Woodard added. “This plan reflects both the strength of our foundation and our commitment to advancing the field.” 

For more information, visit familyconnects.org/strategic-plan

• Category: FCI News, Press Clips