Family Connects International

01/08/2026

Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Janell Green Smith.

Family Connects International joins communities across the country in mourning the loss of Dr. Janell Green Smith— a certified nurse midwife, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and tireless champion for Black mothers—who died during childbirth.

Dr. Green Smith dedicated her life to protecting birthing people and advancing respectful, equitable maternal care. Her passing is a profound loss—and a painful reminder of the persistent maternal health inequities Black women continue to face in the United States.

Black women are still three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. These outcomes are not inevitable. They are the result of systems that too often fail to listen, respond, and care equitably.

We honor her by continuing the work she believed in: strengthening early support, improving postpartum care, and ensuring Black mothers are seen, heard, and protected.

Read our full statement honoring Dr. Green Smith and calling for change: https://familyconnects.org/2026/01/08/honoring-the-life-of-dr-janell-green-smith/

We. Can. Do. Better

01/06/2026

The FCI Board of Directors and Staff dedicated a week to planning for 2026 and beyond! We are excited to start 2026 making an even larger impact on newborns and families! Stay tuned to see how you can join us to support families across the county!

01/05/2026

With 43.3% of pregnancy-related deaths occurring during the 6 weeks following delivery, typical practice is still a single 6-week postpartum appointment.

Ochsner Health, in partnership with the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, and LCMC Health at Touro Infirmary, has begun to bridge this gap with Family Connects, a universal postpartum home visit program that brings postpartum care in New Orleans closer in line with the most recent guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for “fourth trimester” care.

The Postpartum Newborn Home Visiting Task Force created by the Louisiana Legislature “strongly recommends comprehensive coverage and reimbursement through Medicaid and private insurance for universal postpartum newborn nurse home visiting services.” With demonstrated cost savings, improvements in health care engagement, and high patient satisfaction, Family Connects deserves to become part of the standard of postpartum care, improving the fourth trimester experience for every new family in Louisiana.



Read more:

The early postpartum days can be a time of exciting change, but they do not mark the end of pregnancy-related health risks. In fact, in 2021, 43.3% of pregnancy-related deaths occurred in the 6 weeks following delivery, yet typical practice is still a single 6-week postpartum appointment.[1][1],[2][

01/02/2026

Thanks to your generosity, Family Connects International helps reduce the risk of postpartum depression by 30%—giving parents the support they need during the most critical weeks of a child’s life.

As a national hub, FCI supports more than 60 communities in 21 states, providing consultation, training, and technical assistance to ensure families everywhere have access to care. Since 2017, we’ve reached nearly 135,000 families—and it’s donors like you who make that possible.

Thank you for being the missing piece of the family support puzzle. Together, we’re building a future where every child—and every parent—can thrive.

12/30/2025

Every day, thousands of parents bring home a newborn feeling overwhelmed and alone. Without support, families face real challenges:
-1 in 8 mothers experience postpartum depression
-3.1M children are involved in Child Protective Services responses
-The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations with 84% of deaths considered preventable

Family Connects International is changing that story. Our universal nurse home visiting program connects families to community resources—at no cost—leading to:
-39% fewer child maltreatment investigations
-33% fewer emergency medical visits
-30% lower risk of postpartum depression

Since 2017, we’ve reached over 140,000 families in 21 states—but millions more need us.

Your year-end gift ensures parents have the support they need during the most critical weeks of a child’s life. And it’s 100% tax-deductible!

Donate Today at https://familyconnects.org/donate/

Together, we can build a future where every child—and every parent—can thrive. 💕

12/29/2025

FCI had a great visit with the , , Every Child Succeeds, and each of our Family Connects programs from across Ohio. We even got to say hello to and to share about the impact Family Connects Ohio is making across the state!

12/26/2025

The FCI Team Hosts Three Friendraisers to Showcase the Family Connects Model
The FCI team organized three Friendraisers in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Durham, NC, to present the research and positive effects of the Family Connects Model on newborns and their families.

We appreciate your attendance and the time you dedicated to learning about the Family Connects Model.

12/23/2025

Season’s greetings from Family Connects ❄️
Our offices will be closed from December 24th to January 1st as we celebrate the holidays.
See you in the new year!

12/22/2025

Check out ALL the highlights from across Family Connects through 2025!

https://mailchi.mp/familyconnects.org/family-connects-international-2025-highlights

12/19/2025

Congratulations M. Teresa Ruiz and Brandie Wooding on your being recognized by the Burke Foundation as a Community Champion for all your efforts in supporting newborns and their families!

State Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz: One of the accomplishments of which she is most proud — the Universal Newborn Home Visitation Program — was inspired by her experience receiving in-home lactation support after the birth of her daughter. Today, the initiative helps New Jersey families get critical support in the first days after bringing a newborn home, regardless of parents’ income or insurance status.

Brandie C. Wooding, MSN, RN, RNC-OB: Brandie is proudest of the people and the partnerships behind this work: the growing network of nurses, program support specialists, local medical directors, and community alignment specialist staff who bring Family Connects NJ to life. In just a few years, the program has expanded from reaching a few hundred families to approaching its 8,000th visit.
“It promotes trust and collaboration when people see that their feedback leads to real change,” Brandie says. “I can say, ‘Remember when you suggested this? I was able to put it into motion.’ You don’t do this work alone or in a silo. We all have different strengths and backgrounds, and that makes partnerships stronger.”

Read the full article here: https://burkefoundation.org/community-champions/

12/19/2025

Introducing Cat, Our December VIP Employee!

For four years, Cat has contributed her expertise, knowledge, and unwavering dedication to the FCI mission. Originally from Virginia, she has called Western North Carolina home for longer than her "hometown."

Congratulations, Cat!

12/16/2025

Between birth and age three, a child’s brain forms 1 million neural connections per second—laying the foundation for lifelong health and success. Yet too many parents face this critical time overwhelmed and without support.

Without help, families face real challenges:
-1 in 8 mothers experience postpartum depression
-3.1M children are involved in Child Protective Services responses
-The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with 84% of deaths considered preventable

Family Connects International is changing that story. Our universal nurse home visiting program connects families to community resources—at no cost—leading to:
-39% fewer child maltreatment investigations
-33% fewer emergency medical visits
-30% lower risk of postpartum depression

Since 2017, we’ve reached over 140,000 families in 21 states—but millions more need us.

“As a first-time father, I had so many questions… Our nurse Lorena answered them all with patience and clarity. This program is invaluable.” – Will, Parent, NJ

This holiday season, you can be the missing piece of the family support puzzle.

Your gift today ensures every parent feels connected and cared for during the most critical weeks of a child’s life.

Donate Today: https://familyconnects.org/donate/