Overview
There is a powerful movement to address the social determinants of health, reducing pregnancy and childbirth risks. These sweeping changes in maternal child health (MCH) and early care and education (ECE) show a united effort to dismantle longstanding disparities, improve access to vital services, and ensure the health and wellbeing of parenting families, mothers, infants, and young children 0-3.
Recognizing these shifts, Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) enlisted the expertise of Mattison Advisors (MA) to spearhead its strategic planning engagement. MA and MCC collaborated closely to chart MCC’s pathway forward and position the organization to serve as a preferred partner to scale impact in maternal child health and early care and education.
Process
The strategic planning process commenced with organizational preparation, extensive stakeholder engagement, and an organizational assessment. This rigorous process encompassed a thorough examination of the maternal health care sector, analyzing current trends and conducting peer benchmarking to identify best practices and innovation in service delivery.
Furthermore, ecosystem mapping was undertaken to deeply comprehend client behaviors and interactions within the MCC ecosystem, ensuring a comprehensive approach to strategy, services, and resource allocation.
Stakeholders
This inclusive process saw active engagement from a diverse array of stakeholders, including MCC’s Board of Directors, dedicated staff, valued clients, community members, partners, funders, and sector experts. Over 150 stakeholders engaged directly in interviews, complemented by an additional 225 clients
who contributed through comprehensive surveys. This robust engagement ensured a comprehensive and inclusive approach to shaping MCC’s strategic direction.
Findings
The strategic planning process underscored several key areas for MCC to address, essential for advancing our mission and expanding our impact.
First, the need to further integrate the Social Determinants of Health into MCC services was clearly demonstrated through a comprehensive ecosystem mapping survey. The ecosystem mapping surveyed over two hundred clients, which revealed the needs of clients, both within and beyond MCC’s current offerings.
Additionally, the importance of harnessing technology for operational excellence cannot be overstated. Embracing advanced technological solutions will streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance client services for MCC.
Moreover, developing deeper and strategic partnerships is paramount. These collaborations will amplify our impact and enable MCC to better serve clients.
As a community leader and advocate, MCC will continue our focus on taking a proactive role in advocacy to address the pressing issues of maternal child health and early childcare and education. This advocacy is crucial for driving meaningful improvements in health outcomes.
Lastly, investing in MCC’s people and culture through professional development, learning, and pay equity is essential. These initiatives will ensure MCC attracts and retains top talent, fostering an engaged and motivated workforce committed to our mission. By addressing these strategic opportunities, MCC will be well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of our community and continue to make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve.
Vision
Maternity Care Coalition envisions an equitable future where all families are healthy and connected, and all children thrive and are ready to learn:
• Each child is welcomed.
• Each person is nurtured and achieves one's full potential.
• Parents and caregivers are empowered to care for themselves and their children.
• Communities understand and act upon the imperative to provide systematic support.
Mission
MCC's mission is to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women and parenting families and enhance school readiness for children 0-3.
We achieve this through direct service, advocacy, and research, in collaboration with individuals, families, providers, and communities.
Theory of Change & Intended Impact:
MCC’s collective client, community, and policy-level services converge to tackle racial and social inequities affecting parents and their babies in Pennsylvania and the state of Delaware. Through all programs MCC champions a culture of advocacy, engaging all staff in the quest for fairer communities where parents can birth with dignity, parent with autonomy, and raise babies who are healthy, growing, and thriving.
MCC’s vision encompasses:
• Empowering parents as catalysts for change within their lives and communities.
• Ensuring communities access supportive networks and high-quality services addressing the social determinants of health, while confronting institutional racism and social injustice.
• Advocating for equitable policies reflective of parents' and babies' lived experiences.
As we developed our 2026-2028 strategies to further advance our Theory of Change, we identified three key priorities:
1. Organizational Resilience: Strengthening MCC ensures our communities have ongoing access to robust supportive networks and high-quality services to effectively address social determinants of health. Leveraging technology is central to this effort.
2. Thought Leadership: This priority focuses on building community capacity, fostering relationships, and enhancing our policy advocacy and research work that will advance equitable policies reflective of parent’s and babies’ lived experiences.
3. Economic Security: Promoting economic security aligns with our commitment to self-determination for all families.
These priorities reflect where we are today and our vision for the future, supporting our quest for fairer communities where parents can nurture healthy, thriving babies with dignity and autonomy.
Organizational Resilience
1. Empower People And Culture
• Champion Pay Equity Practices
• Cultivate Opportunities for Staff Growth and Learning
• Continue Advancement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Principles
2. Revolutionize Infrastructure, Technology, And Systems
• Leverage Technology to Elevate Our Impact
• Elevate Operational Efficiency
3. Achieve Program Excellence with Compelling Impact
• Set and Achieve High Standards of Service
4. Enhance Board of Directors Impact
• Deepen Board Engagement
• Advance Operational Efficiency
Thought Leadership
Economic Security
1. Amplify our Voice in External Spaces
• Foster Collaborative Relationships among Diverse Stakeholders
• Curate and Support Opportunities to Promote Dialogue and Drive Change Forward
2. Turn Research into Bold Action
• Translate Research Findings to Advance Policy Recommendations and Service Delivery
• Collaborate with Staff and Stakeholders to Advance Equitable and Inclusive Community-Driven Practices
1. Ensure Access to Essential Resources and Services
• Strengthen Basic Resources and Services
2. Strengthen Strategic Partnerships to Enhance Family Support
• Develop and Implement a Partnership Strategy for Addressing Social Determinants of Health
3. Bolster Community-Based Perinatal Workforce
• Expand Community Health Worker Workforce Development Programs
4. Advance Equitable Prenatal and Early Childhood Economic Security Policies
• Build and Deepen Effective Partnerships
• Participate and Lead High Impact Campaigns and Initiatives
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the individuals and entities who have played a pivotal role in the development and success of Maternity Care Coalition. The realization of our strategic plan has been made possible through the unwavering support and collaboration of a diverse and dedicated community.
Clients: Your passion, commitment, and innovative spirit inspire us every day. Your hard work and determination fuel the foundation upon which Maternity Care Coalition stands.
Staff: The dedication of our exceptional team has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of Maternity Care Coalition. Your tireless efforts and expertise are the driving force behind our mission.
Board of Directors: We extend our deepest appreciation to our Board of Directors for their guidance, wisdom, strategic insights, and partnership. Your leadership has been invaluable in navigating the path toward success.
Donors: We are profoundly grateful to our generous donors who believe in our mission and invest in the future of Maternity Care Coalition. Your contributions have a lasting impact, empowering us to create opportunities for birthing people and families.
Sector Experts: Our partnerships with forward-thinking sector experts have been integral to the success of Maternity Care Coalition. Your commitment to studying, understanding, and leading the maternal child health and early childcare and education sectors helps Maternity Care Coalition be responsive and innovative in fulfilling our mission.
Community: To the communities we serve, thank you for embracing our mission and fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity.
Collectively, your support propels Maternity Care Coalition forward, enabling us to fulfill our mission. We are deeply grateful for your continued belief in our mission and your commitment to improving health outcomes for parents and young children.
