2014
Maternity Care Coalition Annual Report
Strengthening families, inspiring change Strengthening families, inspiring change
Dear MCC Supporter, At Maternity Care Coalition, we define resilience as a person’s ability to become successful despite overwhelming challenges. We view our role in clients’ lives as helping them be successful despite previous negative experiences. This year as an organization, we also needed resilience as we too were faced with challenges that could have overwhelmed us.. From dramatic cuts in funding and reduced staff, to increasing costs to provide services, we had to figure out how to do more with less and still have a positive impact on the families and communities we serve. While we worked as an organization to overcome the challenges we faced, we were still there to support clients like Elena and Gary. The experiences that brought them to MCC were different, but what they shared was a goal to improve the health and wellbeing of their children and family. This year, as you evaluate your philanthropic contributions, think about the times in your life when you overcame a challenge, completed a difficult project or supported someone who needed encouragement. Stand with MCC and the families we serve and know that, as an organization and as individuals, we are resilient. With sincere thanks,
JoAnne Fischer Executive Director
Services to Families ELENA’S STORY When Elena came to Maternity Care Coalition, she was a pregnant 28-year-old mother of a two-year-old son named Julio. She moved to Pennsylvania six months before from South America with her husband. Her family lived in a tiny apartment in North Philadelphia. The furnishings were sparse and aside from a floor lamp in each room, there was little light. The only place for her son Julio to play was a cluttered bedroom. She was shy, soft spoken and lacked confidence in her ability to care for her children away from the support of her family and friends. Elena learned about the MOMobile program through one of our community partners.
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Our MOMobile program has grown to now focus on serving women with chronic health conditions. In the last 20 years, the maternal mortality rate has doubled in the United States. Our Safe Start MOMobile partnered with Merck for Mothers global initiative to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. The program received local and national attention and was the subject of many news stories including the Wall Street Journal.
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Elena’s Advocate,
Advocates are trained
Samia, had been with MCC for a number of years and had a special gift of recognizing the unspoken concerns and needs of clients. She wouldn’t push Elena too much, but she wanted Elena to become empowered to reach her goals.
to meet the changing needs of the clients and communities we serve. This year three Advocates received advanced education to become Depression Specialists. These Advocates provide greater support to clients at risk for depression by helping them navigate the complex behavioral system. We also trained Advocates to become patient navigators to help women manage their chronic health conditions during pregnancy.
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Elena needed several items for her baby, but her biggest concern was a safe place for her baby to sleep…
Our Cribs for Kids program
provides families with safe sleep education and a crib to those that cannot afford one. This year, we conducted more than 50 workshops and distributed
2,151 cribs.
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Public Policy During one of her early visits with Elena, Samia noticed that at 2:00PM she was still in her pajamas. The curtains on the window were drawn and other than light from where her toddler son played, the modest home was dark. Samia screened Elena for depression and she scored at risk. However, Elena couldn’t access behavioral health services because she didn’t qualify for Medicaid.
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More than 240,000 residents of Pennsylvania fall in the Medicaid coverage gap where earning too much to money to qualify for state-funded Medicaid, but not enough to be eligible for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. While pregnancy prompts expanded eligibility for Medicaid, those benefits disappear 60 days postpartum. Consistent coverage helps women keep postpartum appointments, get family planning services and invest in life long health.
As an immigrant to the United States, one of the concerns Elena had for her two year old was finding high quality affordable childcare. Elena found it difficult to communicate with the providers in her area and some of the immigrant services didn’t have a lot of information about childcare.
Our Public Policy work continues to advocate on behalf of all childbearing families. Supported by the Samuel S Fels Fund, we examined the needs of immigrant families in South Philadelphia. Our research revealed the highest priority for immigrant families is childcare, but many find that care for their children is hard to access, expensive and language barriers make it difficult to communicate with providers. Organizations that are working directly with immigrant families have not focused on childcare. We continue to work with our community partners to help them provide information and resources about early care and education to the community. Maternity Care Coalition• 2014 Annual Report • 7
Breastfeeding Samia asked Elena how she planned to feed her baby. Elena shared her desire to breastfeed, but wondered if she would be able to without the support of her family who helped her when two-year-old Julio was born.
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When we began our Breastfeeding Friendly Philadelphia campaign in 2010, none of the six birthing hospitals in the city were committed to implementing breastfeeding friendly policies. Through our work with the MultiHospital Breastfeeding Promotion Taskforce, this year all six birthing hospitals are working to become baby (breastfeeding) friendly. The hospitals announced they were going bagfree, eliminating the practice of giving free formula bags to new parents. In a statement, the hospitals agreed that “marketing practices that undermine successful breastfeeding have no place in a healthcare setting.” This policy change will impact more than 19,000 babies and their families each year. Employers are an important support for breastfeeding mothers. We continue to work with employers and businesses across Philadelphia to help them provide lactation support to nursing mothers. Maternity Care Coalition• 2014 Annual Report • 9
This year we debuted our Northeast MOMobile Lactation Peer Counseling program at our Northeast MOMobile. Advocates at this site are Certified Lactation Consultants and provide enhanced breastfeeding support for clients and the community. More than 66% of the clients enrolled at our Northeast MOMobile were exclusively breastfeeding at six months surpassing the Samia was able to address the concerns and fears Elena had about breastfeeding. She helped Elena get a pump so her husband could help feed the baby and six months later, Elena was still successfully breastfeeding her new baby boy.
city of Philadelphia’s 2014 rate of 25%.
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Early Head Start GARY’S STORY Gary came to our Early Head Start (EHS) site in Pottstown looking for advice. He was the single dad of two-year old Draycin who had a disability. Gary had so many questions and was always searching for answers to guide him as he raised his little girl alone. He asked for help when needed and embraced every experience as a learning opportunity.
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As the months passed, Gary’s commitment to the program increased. No matter what was going on, Gary was at every parent meeting even if it was snowing and no one else could come. Over time, he transformed from a shy man, barely speaking to leading meetings. Gary joined the School Readiness Taskforce where he is working to establish educational goals for children in the community.
Our commitment to parent involvement allows many of our EHS parents to be recognized for their work with our program and in the community. In March, Angela Kearney, an EHS parent and member of the EHS Policy Council, was awarded the Francine Bunch Memorial Award by the Pennsylvania Head Start Association for her participation in the EHS program and involvement in the community. When asked about her experience, Angela said “This program inspired me to become a productive member of society. It’s empowered me to become who I am today.”
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School Readiness means a child possesses
the
skills,
knowledge,
and attitudes necessary for success in school and for later learning and life. This year we convened our School Readiness Taskforce consisting of staff, parents and community partners to identify what our children need to be prepared for school and how we can best support them. As a result of our efforts across EHS, 87% of the children enrolled
demonstrate
communication,
improved
language
emergent literacy skills.
and
For Gary, Draycin’s future is his guiding light. Everything he does is an effort to forward his daughter’s education. Maternity Care Coalition• 2014 Annual Report • 13
Research After the birth of her son, Elena expressed concern about the weight she gained after Julio and the additional weight she gained with her new baby. She told her Advocate that for many years she felt like her weight gain had become uncontrollable.
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This year we concluded our Postpartum Weight Management Study. Started in 2009, we examined what helps women be successful in losing weight following pregnancy. We enrolled 220 women and nearly all of the women receiving the intervention lost weight, inches around their waist, and were successfully breastfeeding as compared to the control group.
Elena wanted to lose pounds and inches, become more active and create healthier meals for her family. Every day, she received motivational text messages that provided her with extra social support to help her reach her goals. Elena told Samia she felt positive about being able to meet her weight loss goals. Maternity Care Coalition • 2014 Annual Report • 15
Elena began drinking more water, eliminated many processed foods from her diet and began making all of her meals at home. The lifestyle change began having a positive impact on her family. The children were eating healthier because of the choices she made in the kitchen. At her one year visit, Elena had lost 20 pounds and four inches around her waist.
We are leaders in community-based participatory research that brings community members and academic researchers together in “grassroots” research resulting from issues that our Advocates identify. The Maternal Health and Early Education Consortium is a group of 50 inter-disciplinary research scientists from 10 universities dedicated to providing effective strategies to address maternal and child health and early education issues.
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Thanks to You The week before the Christmas Holiday, Samia went to visit Elena and her family. Elena had come a long way since that first meeting. Gone was the softspoken, shy and uncertain woman who opened the door. Elena was now successfully breastfeeding baby Jorge, losing weight and was creating a healthier lifestyle for her and her family. She was full of confidence and excited about the future. This visit, Samia came with a large red bag full of diapers, clothes and toys donated to the family through our annual Family Gift Connection program.
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This year, more than ever, we relied on our dedicated volunteers to give their time, talents and resources to help us maximize our impact in meeting the needs of our clients. We used the skills, knowledge, and ideas of our volunteers to create opportunities across the entire organization.
We are grateful for all of the generous volunteers who helped in a variety of capacities including serving on the Board of Directors and advisory committees, managing our events, talent scouting and assisting us with various administrative tasks in our offices. One of these volunteers is Iris Pollack. Iris joined MCC as a volunteer in 2002. She joined us because her daughter works here and she wanted to support her. Over the years, Iris has played a crucial role in the Fund Development and Marketing Department. She helps with administrative duties, events and our annual Celebrating Mothers campaign.
“ The work I do for MCC is nothing compared to the joy I receive from being a part of such a wonderful and important organization, said Iris.
”
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Celebrating JoAnne’s 25th Anniversary Much like the transformation Elena experienced in her life as the result of our programs, MCC too has grown over the years.
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This year, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of our Executive Director, JoAnne Fischer. Twenty-five years and 90,000 babies later under her leadership we developed from a staff of three and a budget of $175,000 to a staff over 100 and a budget of $7.5 million. We celebrated all year long with various activities honoring JoAnne. We invited former members of MCC’s Board and staff, partner organizations, colleagues and friends to share their favorite memory or story of JoAnne. In our 25 Days/25 Stories series we learned about the selection process that brought JoAnne to MCC, the lives of those she inspired to go into the public health field and how she is seen as a trailblazer in the maternal and child health field. On our Virtual Quilt, featured on the homepage of our website, community partners and other organizations sent messages and congratulations to JoAnne for her leadership. JoAnne’s leadership and commitment to improving the lives of pregnant women was displayed during the Women in the World Summit. Moderated by Soledad O’Brien, JoAnne participated in a panel discussing the growing rate of maternal mortality in the U.S. JoAnne said “In my 25 plus years of experience this is the first time, the focus is on the health outcomes of the mother.” The event was livestreamed on the web and included a chat on Twitter the day before with Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan. Maternity Care Coalition• 2014 Annual Report • 21
Development MCC served more than 4,000 families this year and Elena and Gary are just two of them. Part of their success lies in the generosity and support of the many individuals and corporations who support us.
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For our annual Celebrating Mothers event we creatively displayed the Art of Caring at the Loews Hotel. We honored our Executive Director, JoAnne Fischer with the 2014 Spirit of Motherhood Award. The event sold out with more than 300 in attendance. In May, we returned to the Radnor Valley Country Club for our annual My Family, Me & MCC Children’s Brunch. Filled with games, treats and prizes our youngest supporters honored JoAnne by decorating a hand-painted tree with their individual thumb prints. This year’s Celebrating Mothers event and campaign raised nearly $250,000. Dads play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of their children and families. Each year our Celebrating Fathers Golf Classic and Driving Fatherhood Award recognize the special relationship between dad and child. This year’s golf classic was held at Manufacturers Golf and Country Club in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Early Head Start father, Gary Strimpel and Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro received our 2014 Driving Fatherhood Award for their commitment to advancing the role of fatherhood.
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This year, our Finance, Administration and Development departments worked even harder to maximize every dollar given to the organization. Through renegotiated contracts and securing more in-kind services, we had significant cost savings this year.
Every dollar you give helps advance our mission to improve maternal and child health and well being.
$25
Financials
A week’s worth of breakfast, lunch and a snack for an EHS enrolled child
$150 Assistance to pregnant and parenting teens to help them stay in school
$750 Allows one member from the community to enroll in our 20-session Community Doula Training program
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$50 Two weeks of tokens for an expectant mom to travel to prenatal appointments
$250 Provides the support of a Doula to a birthing woman (prenatal, postnatal and birth)
$1500 A year’s worth of MOMobile services for a family which includes home visiting support parenting and health education
$100 Covers the purchase of a national safety rated crib, delivery and setup in a client’s home.
$500 Enrollment for a new mom in a postpartum weight management workshop that includes a baby carrier, pedometer and nutrition information
$2000 Supports MCC’s Sustainability Fund and helps cover operational costs essential to carrying out our mission.
2013 Income by Source
$6,653,391
13% 3% 72% 5% 5% 2%
Foundations United Way Grants & Contracts Individuals Donated Services Other *
* Corporate, Research, Healthcare & Religious Orgs.
836,362 191,663 4,791,162 353,373 330,333 150,499
ASSETS Cash Receivables Prepaid expenses / Deposits Property and Equipment Total Assets
$132,182 956,767 69,879 433,818 $1,592,646
LIABILITIES
2013 Expenses 22% 54% 6% 7% 8% 3%
MOMobile Early Head Start Cribs for Kids Other Programs ** Management / General Fundraising
** Policy & Research
$6,937,420 1,545,775 3,733,486 434,758 476,758 572,495 174,148
Accounts Payable Debt Total Liabilities
$240,871 4,899 $245,770
NET ASSETS Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Total Net Assets Total Liabilities and Net Assets
$1,129,315 217,561 $1,346,876 $1,592,646
MCC’s fiscal year is July 1-June 30.
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Through Collaborative efforts we are able to strengthen more families. Special thanks to: Carnation Club Members (annual commitment of $1,000 or more) Andrea & Bruce Gilbert Andrea Kovich Anita Allen & Paul Castellitto Anthony & Darcie Neibert Anne Faulkner Schoemkaer Anonymous Augie Hermann & Julio Kuperman Barbara & Charles Hadley Bette Begleiter & Paul Messing Bill Bole Brady Green Bruce & Cindy Terker Carole Haas Gravagno Carolyn Smith Cathie & Susan Harvey Drs. Sean & Charmaine Smith Wright Christine & Larry Smith Colleen & Howard Messing Dale & Jeffrey Garson Daphne Goldman & Jane Hix Dave & Ellen Watson Denise Collins
Diane & Pat Croce Elizabeth Block & Bruce Kuklick Elizabeth Cohen & David Whellan Elizabeth Lindsey & Jonathan Rothwell Eric Beringause Felice & Tom Wiener Frances Marbury Gary & Patricia Holloway Gwen & David Keiser Helene & William Van Hoeven Jacqueline Morrill & Michael Donahue Jane Mathisen & Robert Aronowitz Janet Bly & Jim Rosenberg Jay Siegel & Mona Sarfaty Jeffrey & Dianne Rotwitt Joan & Jay Bloch The Solarz Family JoAnne Fischer & Eric Hoffman Johanna Berger & David Dormont Jose (Pepe) & Sharon Garcia Judy Faust Judy & Ken Weinstein
Jullie & Michael Patterson Patricia J. Williams, MD Karen Thompson Randi & Howard Serota Katayun Jaffari Randy Mintz-Presant Kathryn & Peter Kim Regine Metellus Ken & Christena Waldman Rosemarie & Jay Halt Kirstin & Jeff Engelman Sandy Sheller Laura Offutt & Steve Fukuchi Saul & Roberta Epstein Leanne Wagner & John Dent Stacey & Leo Helmers Linda McAleer & Maitlon Russell Susan & Richard Salkowitz Liza Nickerson Seltzer & Susan Anderson Jonathan Seltzer Thomas & Audrey Schwenger Mark & Tobey Dichter Tobey & Kimberly Oxholm Mary & Edward Posner Tracey & Shanin Specter Mary & Peter Austen Trish Marchesani & Ed Vilsmeier Maura Dollymore Valerie Arkoosh Meta & Benjamin Neilson Victoria Zellers Michael Kamarck Virgina & John Morris Michele & Richard Hunn William & Missy Mundy Nancy Fuchs Kreimer & Seth Kreimer Nancy Hellebrand Blood Nathalie Vanderpool Bartle & Harvey Bartle II Pam & Tony Schneider
@mccpolicy @MCC_home United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania Community Partner
Maternity Care Coalition • 2000 Hamilton St, Suite 205 Philadelphia, PA 19130 maternitycarecoalition.org • 215.972.0700 Photo Credits: Amit Gabai, Paola Nogueras, Merck for Mothers, ME Photo Design: Christen Rhoadarmer • me@christenrhoadarmer.com