Category: FCI News

Pride Month Affirms That Strong Communities Begin When All Families Are Seen, Supported, and Connected 

During Pride Month, Family Connects International (Family Connects) is reaffirming a core belief: families are as unique as they are essential—and when families are supported and connected early, individuals and communities are better equipped to weather challenges together. 

Pride Month is a time to honor the resilience, contributions, and identities of LGBTQIA+ individuals and families, while also recognizing the ongoing need for systems that are inclusive, affirming, and responsive to diverse family structures. 

LGBTQIA+ parents and caregivers are raising children, building communities, and contributing to the social fabric of cities and towns across the country. Yet many families—particularly those navigating stigma, isolation, or lack of affirming care—face barriers that can compound stress over time. 

“Connection is one of the strongest protective factors we have,” said Jade Woodard, Executive Director of Family Connects. “When families feel supported early, they are more likely to stay connected to care, to one another, and to their communities—especially during difficult moments.” 

Data from The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health underscore the importance of connection and support: 

• 66% of LGBTQ+ young people reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety 

• Feeling accepted, supported, and connected to trusted adults and community resources significantly improves coping and help-seeking 

Research consistently shows that supportive relationships—within families and communities—are among the most powerful protective factors against long-term mental health challenges. When families are connected early to affirming systems of care, they are better positioned to navigate stress, transitions, and adversity together. 

Thankfully, Belonging is a Protective Factor that helps us all:  

• Stay engaged with health, mental health, and community services 

• Seek help early rather than waiting for crises 

• Foster open communication and trust within the family 

• Build resilience across childhood, adolescence, and beyond 

“When families are connected early, they are more likely to stay connected,” Kim Friedman, Chief Program Officer at Family Connects. “That continuity is critical to navigating challenges together, across every stage of development.” 

Conversely, isolation and lack of support increase stress for both caregivers and children—particularly during vulnerable periods such as pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood. 

Family Connects remains committed to advancing approaches that center dignity, belonging, and trust; reduce disparities across health and social outcomes; strengthen families during critical life transitions; and build communities where every child and caregiver can thrive. And the Family Connects Model supports all families by ensuring: 

• All families are welcomed, including LGBTQIA+ families and caregivers 

• Registered nurses provide nonjudgmental, strengths-based support during the postpartum period 

• Families are connected early to affirming health care, mental health services, and community-based supports 

• Universal access reduces stigma, helping families stay engaged with care over time 

• Early connection strengthens continuity, making it more likely families will remain connected as children grow 

Pride Month celebrates identity, courage, and community—but it is also a reminder that belonging must be built into systems, not left to chance. 

“When we support families exactly as they are—and connect them early to community care—we strengthen the future for everyone,” said Woodard. “That is what prevention, equity, and community well-being truly look like.” 

National Nurses Week Honors the Essential Role of Nurses in Strengthening Families, Communities, and Public Health 

As the nation observes National Nurses Week, May 6–12, Family Connects International (Family Connects) is honoring the vital role nurses play in protecting health, supporting families, and strengthening communities—often at life’s most critical moments. 

National Nurses Week is celebrated annually during the birthday week of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, and recognizes the enduring impact of the nursing profession on health, healing, and public well-being. For more than a century, nurses have been at the forefront of care—bridging clinical expertise with compassion, trust, and advocacy. 

Today, nurses continue to serve as the backbone of the U.S. health system—and increasingly, as leaders in prevention and community-based care. 

“Nurses are often the first to see what families are experiencing—and the first to help,” said Alain Glen, Chief of Nursing at Family Connects. “Their ability to combine clinical expertise with relationship-based care makes them indispensable to public health.” 

And nurses are at the frontlines of our effort to promote maternal and infant health, identify mental and physical health concerns early, address social determinants of health, and advance access through trusted, culturally responsive care. 

When we are supporting Families from the start, we can reduce emergency medical care use, lower rates of child maltreatment, improve maternal mental health, and strengthen family connections for life-long success. 

“Nurses don’t just treat symptoms—they see the whole family,” said Wendy O’Shea, Director of Nursing at Family Connects. “That perspective is what makes nurse-led prevention so powerful.” 

National Nurses Week is not only a time to celebrate nurses—it is a time to invest in systems that allow nurses to activate their training, leverage their tremendous experience, and create lasting impact.  

Family Connects calls on health systems, policymakers, funders, and community leaders to support nurse-led, community-based models that improve outcomes for families while strengthening public health infrastructure. 

When we invest in nurses, we invest in prevention, equity, and healthier futures. Nurses are essential—not just to health care, but to community well-being. 

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week Highlights an Urgent Public Health Crisis—and the Power of Early Support 

During Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (MMHAW), May 4–10, 2026, Family Connects International (Family Connects) is calling attention to the growing maternal mental health crisis in the United States—and the critical need for early, preventive support for parents during the postpartum period. 

Parenthood brings joy and meaning, but it also brings intense pressure. Today, 41% of parents report that most days they are so stressed they cannot function, compared to 20% of other adults—underscoring the disproportionate mental health burden parents face during pregnancy and after birth. 

At the same time, maternal mental health conditions remain widespread and under-addressed: 

• Approximately 1 in 8 mothers experience perinatal depression or postpartum depressive symptoms, with a disproportionate impact on women of color. 

• Mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, accounting for 22.7%. 

• These deaths include suicide and overdose/poisoning related to substance use disorders. 

“Maternal mental health is not a niche issue—it is central to the health of families and communities,” said Jade Woodard, Executive Director of Family Connects. “When we fail to support mothers early, the consequences can be devastating. But when we intervene early, outcomes change.” 

The Postpartum Period offers a critical window to support maternal mental health and identify challenges before they become crises. The weeks and months following birth are a time of heightened vulnerability. Parents are navigating physical recovery, hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, feeding challenges, and identity shifts—often with limited follow-up care or support. 

Despite the prevalence and severity of maternal mental health needs, many concerns go undetected or untreated; care is often fragmented or delayed, and families are left to navigate challenges alone during a high-risk transition. 

At home registered nurse visits, like Family Connects model, can supports Maternal Mental Health by: 

• Screening for postpartum depression and anxiety during the early postpartum period. 

• Identifying stress, social isolation, and family needs early, before they escalate. 

• Connecting families directly to behavioral health care, primary care, and community supports 

• Reducing stigma and disparities, ensuring support reaches families regardless of race, income, or insurance status 

“Early, trusted support can be life-changing,” said Kim Friedman, Chief Program Officer at Family Connects. “When mothers feel seen, supported, and connected, families are safer and healthier.” 

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is a time to move beyond awareness toward action. Supporting maternal mental health protects mothers’ lives, strengthens infant development and family stability, reduces emergency medical use and system strain, and advances equity by addressing disparities early. 

Family Connects calls on health systems, policymakers, funders, and community partners to invest in preventive, family-centered approaches that prioritize maternal mental health from the very beginning. 

“Maternal mental health challenges are not a personal failure,” said Woodard. “They are a predictable result of systems that too often leave parents without support. Prevention works when we choose to act early.” 

National Home Visiting Week Highlights the Power of Meeting Families Where They Are—From the Very Beginning 

During National Home Visiting Week, April 20–24, Family Connects International (Family Connects) is joining communities nationwide in recognizing the vital role home visiting plays in supporting families with newborns—during one of the most critical and vulnerable periods of life. 

National Home Visiting Week shines a spotlight on evidence-based home visiting programs that partner with parents, promote child and family well-being, and strengthen communities by delivering support directly to families—where they live. 

“Home visiting is one of the most effective ways to support families early, equitably, and with dignity,” said Jade Woodard, CEO and President of Family Connects. “When families are supported from the start, outcomes improve across health, safety, and development.” 

Decades of research show that Home Visiting assists physical recovery and maternal mental health; infant feeding, sleep, and development; safety concerns and social isolation; and access to health care and community resources. 

 

Without early support, these challenges can escalate into emergency medical use, child welfare involvement, or long-term health and developmental issues. Thankfully, the Family Connects Model support families with newborns through universal, evidence-based, and preventive care: 

• Registered nurses conduct postpartum home visits, assessing maternal health, infant well-being, safety, and family strengths 

• Early screening identifies needs related to mental health, physical health, and social determinants 

• Families are connected directly to health care, early childhood services, and community supports 

• Universal access reduces stigma and disparities, ensuring no family is overlooked 

• Research demonstrates reduced child maltreatment and emergency medical care use, strengthening outcomes while lowering system-level costs 

“Home visiting works because it is proactive and relational,” said Alain Glen, Chief of Nursing at Family Connects. “Family Connects brings evidence-based care into the home at exactly the moment families need it most.” 

Home visiting programs do more than support individual families—they strengthen entire communities by improving maternal and infant health outcomes, supporting positive parenting and early development, reducing strain on emergency, child welfare, and health systems, and advancing equity by addressing disparities early. 
 

This National Home Visiting Week, Family Connects calls on policymakers, health systems, funders, and community leaders to invest in evidence-based, universal home visiting models that meet families where they are and prevent challenges before they occur. 

“Supporting families early is not an optional service—it is essential infrastructure,” said Jade Woodard. “Home visiting is how we build healthier futures for children, families, and communities.” ally, and with intention,” said Woodard. “That is how we build stronger futures for children and communities alike.” 

Watch Family Connects Board Member Michele Benoit-Wilson, MD, FACOG elevate the effectiveness of postpartum nurse visiting at the North Carolina Black Maternal Health Week Proclamation Signing alongside NC Governor Joshua Stein, Senator Natalie Murdock, and Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch.

Because providing access to postpartum healthcare for all families is universally something we can get behind.

The right support at the right time.

Week of the Young Child® Calls Attention to the Earliest Years—When Support for Families Makes the Greatest Difference 

As communities across the country observe the Week of the Young Child®, April 11–17, 2026, Family Connects is joining early childhood leaders nationwide to elevate the importance of supporting young children and the families who care for them during the most formative years of life. 
 

The Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world’s largest early childhood education association, representing nearly 60,000 members and a network of 51 Affiliates nationwide. Established in 1971, the Week was created to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. 

For more than five decades, NAEYC has emphasized a foundational truth: the early childhood years—from birth through age eight—lay the groundwork for children’s success in school and in life. 

“Early childhood development does not begin in a classroom—it begins at home, from the very first days of life,” said Jade Woodard, Executive Director of Family Connects. “Supporting families early is one of the most effective ways to strengthen outcomes for young children.” 

And supporting families with newborns means children can thrive the during a time of exponential growth:  

• Brain development and learning capacity 

• Physical and emotional health 

• Social-emotional skills and relationships 

• Long-term educational and economic outcomes 

And yest, families with newborns often face challenges—sleep deprivation, health concerns, feeding questions, mental health stressors, and social isolation—at precisely the moment when early development is most sensitive to environment and support. 

Home-visiting models like Family Connects Supports insure that:  

• Every family is reached, regardless of income, race, or background—reducing gaps in access and opportunity 

• Registered nurses assess infant development, safety, health, and family strengths during the postpartum period 

• Parents receive guidance on nurturing relationships, responsive caregiving, feeding, sleep, and early learning 

• Maternal mental health and family well-being are supported, recognizing that healthy caregivers are essential to healthy children 

• Families are connected directly to early childhood programs, health care, and community resources that support development from birth through the early years 

“The Family Connects model aligns closely with the goals of the Week of the Young Child®—supporting children by strengthening families and communities,” said Kim Friedman JD, Chief Program Officer at Family Connects. “When families are supported early, children are better positioned to thrive.” 

The Week of the Young Child® is not only a celebration—it is a call to action. It is a time to reflect on how we, as communities, states, and a nation, can better meet the needs of all young children and their families. 

Family Connects calls on policymakers, early childhood leaders, health systems, funders, and community partners to invest in preventive, family-centered approaches that begin at birth and strengthen the full continuum of early childhood development. 

“Supporting young children means supporting families—early, universally, and with intention,” said Woodard. “That is how we build stronger futures for children and communities alike.” 

National Public Health Week Highlights Postpartum Support as a Critical Public Health Strategy 

As communities nationwide observe National Public Health Week, April 6–12, Family Connects is elevating the postpartum period as one of the most important—and overlooked—windows for public health intervention. 

National Public Health Week is led annually by the American Public Health Association (APHA) to recognize the role of public health in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. This year’s theme, “Ready, Set, Action!”, calls on individuals and organizations to move beyond awareness and take meaningful steps toward building healthier communities. 

For families with newborns, the weeks following birth represent a critical intersection of maternal health, infant health, mental health, safety, and social determinants of health—all core public health concerns. 

“Public health is about prevention, not reaction,” said Jade Woodard, Executive Director of Family Connects. “When we support families early—before challenges escalate—we improve outcomes not just for individual families, but for entire communities.” 

For Family Connects, “Ready, Set, Action!” reflects the power of showing up early delivering proactive, evidence-based support to families during the postpartum period, when it can make the greatest difference. 

Research shows that the Postpartum Period represents a Public Health inflection point included but not limited to: 

• Increased risk of maternal mental health conditions 

• Higher rates of emergency medical care use 

• Elevated vulnerability for infants, particularly in the first year of life 

• Disparities driven by race, income, and access to care 

Unfortunately, postpartum care in the United States is often fragmented, inconsistent, or limited to a single clinical visit—leaving many families without the support they need during a high-risk transition. 

And yet, the Family Connects Model advances Public Health through: 

• Registered nurse assessments of maternal and infant health, mental health, safety, and social needs during the postpartum period 

• Early screening to identify risks before they become emergencies or crises 

• Connecting families directly to primary care, behavioral health, early childhood services, and community supports 

• Providing Universal access reduces stigma and disparities, ensuring families are supported regardless of income or background 

• And demonstrating reduced emergency medical use and child welfare involvement, strengthening outcomes while lowering system costs 

“This is what effective public health looks like,” said Alain Glen, Chief Nursing Officer at Family Connects. “It’s proactive, relational, and grounded in evidence.” 

National Public Health Week—and the call to “Ready, Set, Action!” —is a reminder that improving health requires more than awareness; it requires timely action not only in hospitals and clinics, but in homes, neighborhoods, and communities. 

Supporting families during the postpartum period strengthens long-term child development and school readiness, parental mental health and economic stability, community health equity, and system efficiency by preventing costly downstream interventions. 

This National Public Health Week, Family Connects calls on public health leaders, policymakers, health systems, and funders to recognize postpartum support as an essential public health investment—and to scale preventive, family-centered models that improve outcomes at the population level. 

Postpartum challenges are not an individual or even family issue; they are a public health issue. 

Child Abuse Prevention Month Highlights the Critical Need to Support Families Early—Before Harm Occurs 

As the nation observes Child Abuse Prevention Month, Family Connects International is calling attention to a sobering reality: the earliest months of a child’s life are also the most dangerous—and the most preventable—when families lack timely support. 

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for the Administration for Children & Families, in 2023: 

• 3.1 million children were subject to a Child Protective Services (CPS) response. 

• 546,159 children were determined to be victims of maltreatment, 70% of which were first-time victims. 

• Infants under one year of age—the “fourth trimester”—experienced the highest rates of victimization. 

• Of the 1,968 child fatalities reported by states, infants under one were more than three times as likely to die as the next highest age group (one-year-olds). 

These data make clear that child abuse prevention must begin early—before harm occurs, and before families reach crisis. 

“Child maltreatment is not inevitable,” said Jade Woodard, Executive Director of Family Connects. “It is often the result of unmet needs during an incredibly vulnerable period for families. Prevention works when we show up early, universally, and with trust.” 

And yet the Fourth Trimester offers a window for Prevention. 

 

The weeks following birth are a time of immense transition. Families are navigating recovery, sleep deprivation, feeding, mental health challenges, and social isolation—all while caring for a newborn. A decade of research into the Family Connects Model, however, shows: 

• 39% decrease in total per-child CPS investigations for suspected maltreatment 

• 33% decrease in mean total per-child emergency medical care use in early childhood 

• Reduced disparities across racial groups in multiple health outcomes 

• Sustained improvements in positive parenting behaviors through the first two years of life 

• And that mothers were 30% less likely to experience possible postpartum depression or anxiety 

“Prevention is not passive—it is active, relational, and evidence-based,” said Woodard. “Family Connects helps families address challenges before they become emergencies.” 

This April, Family Connects urges policymakers, health systems, funders, and community leaders to invest in primary prevention strategies that support families universally—before maltreatment occurs. 

“If we want to prevent child abuse, we must support parents when they need it most,” said Woodard. “The data are clear: early, universal, nurse-led support saves lives.” 

Bringing the Impact to Life

The first weeks after a baby arrives can be joyful — and overwhelming. It’s also a critical time for the health and wellbeing of parents, babies, and the entire family. Every family deserves trusted support during this moment.

A new film from the Burke Foundation, produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions as part of the WHO Foundation’s Healthier Together II series, highlights the impact of Family Connects NJ.

The film follows nurse Diana Gonzalez on a home visit, showing how personalized, compassionate care helps families navigate the postpartum period. It also features insights from pediatrician Dr. Sanjna Shah and Lisa Asare, President and CEO of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority.

🎬 Watch the film: https://burkefoundation.org/news/family-connects-nj-film/#watchfilm

A Proven Model, Growing Impact

Since launching in January 2024, Family Connects NJ has reached more than 10,000 families across the state — demonstrating the power of universal, early support.

Early evaluation findings from Johns Hopkins University show:

• 51% of families were connected to community resources
• 14% had significant maternal or infant health concerns identified early
• 60% successfully accessed recommended services
• 100% of caregivers reported feeling heard and supported

Family Connects NJ is a vital connection point to a broader system of care — making support accessible, routine, and trusted for families across New Jersey.

Because when families are supported from the start, everyone benefits.

What Families Can Expect

During the FREE nurse visit, specially trained nurses:

• Check on the physical and emotional health of both parent and baby
• Identify potential concerns early, before they become more serious
• Answer questions and build parenting confidence
• Connect families to local resources, including lactation support, mental health care, pediatric services, and more

This early, relationship-based care helps reduce stress, strengthen families, and support healthy development — giving every baby the opportunity for a strong start.

This film was produced for the Burke Foundation by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions as part of the WHO Foundation’s Healthier Together II series.