Dear Family Connects Partners, 

On behalf of the board of directors, we are pleased to announce that Jade Woodard will become the next president and CEO of Family Connects International (FCI).  

Jade is a visionary leader for maternal and child health with a passion for serving families. She also has a deep understanding of what it takes to successfully implement the evidence-based Family Connects model, serving the unique needs of all families in communities across her home state of Colorado. We are thrilled that she will bring her formidable skill set and perspective to serve the community partners implementing Family Connects across the United States.  

Jade comes to FCI from Illuminate Colorado, where she has served as executive director since 2016. She brings years of experience leading organizational growth, partnering with government and community entities, scaling evidence-based programs, demonstrating impact, and ensuring that the voices of impacted families are at the table.

“Families are unique and beautiful. The support and resources they need must be accessible, responsive, and meaningful to their individual context, culture, and circumstances. I am honored to have the opportunity to promote that standard of care for families across the nation as the next president and CEO of Family Connects International.”  – Jade Woodard

With a deep passion for child development and maternal well-being, Jade brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, having trained in social work and public administration. She will begin her new role at FCI on April 21, 2025.  Please join the FCI board and staff in welcoming her!   

The board wishes to share its sincere thanks to the FCI staff, who have played such an important role throughout the leadership transition, and to Fawn Pattison, who served as interim CEO since June 2024. FCI’s search committee worked with Staci Barfield of Armstrong McGuire to conduct the nationwide search.  

FCI will invite partners to meet Jade Woodard at upcoming in-person and virtual events. 

Sincerely,

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FCI is now a Family Forward NC certified employer

Congratulations to our team! FCI is a Family Forward NC certified employer! We are proud to support working parents and caregivers and contribute to the health and well-being of North Carolina’s children.

Thank you to Sunia Barak for leading FCI through the certification process!

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Family Connects International is thrilled to announce the milestone of serving its 100,000th baby: newborn Liam, born on November 10, 2024. This major achievement underscores FCI’s commitment to providing essential maternal-child health services to families during the crucial first days at home, often referred to as the “Fourth Trimester.”  

Liam, along with his proud parents, Destiny and Devon, received a warm welcome at their home, from a trained nurse, Karen Halpin of Family Connects Durham, who offered personalized support and guidance as the family began their journey together. 

Liam’s parents are grateful for the guidance and personalized care they received. “Having a nurse come to our home right after bringing Liam home was a huge comfort,” said Destiny. “We’re thankful for the support and feel so much more confident as new parents.” 

“Celebrating 100,000 babies is a landmark achievement, and we’re so happy to welcome Liam and his family into the Family Connects network,” said Dr. Jonathan Kotch, Chair of the Board of Directors for Family Connects International. “Our vision is that every family has access to the comprehensive support they need to thrive. This milestone highlights the impact of our work, and we look forward to reaching even more families in the years to come.” 

Nurse Karen Halpin shared, “As a Family Connects nurse, I see firsthand how impactful it is to meet families where they are, providing the support they need during those critical early weeks. Visiting Liam and his parents was a reminder of why we do what we do – helping families feel confident and connected as they begin their journey together.” 

Through its community-centered approach, Family Connects registered nurses visit families in their homes around three weeks after birth at no cost to the families, providing expert health assessments for both Baby and Parents, and connecting families to local resources for ongoing support. This unique model helps bridge the gap between the healthcare system and essential community services families need, like lactation, mental health care, and even basic needs like food pantries and diapers. Family Connects nurses offer ALL families the tools and resources they need to thrive during this critical period. FCI aims to connect with at least 60 percent of newborn families in each region it serves.  

CLICK TO DONATE & HELP FCI SERVE THE NEXT 100K BABIES!