We Need You! Fall 2026 Consortium Launch

At Families Forward Resource Center (FFRC), we believe that real change starts with the people who live it every day. We center Black families and others most impacted by inequities in maternal and infant health.

Our goal is simple:  transform systems so that every birthing person is respected, every family is supported, and every baby has the opportunity for a healthy and dignified start to life.

We Need YOU

The Colorado Healthy Start Consortium is a virtual community-led space where parents, caregivers, and birth workers gather to improve pregnancy, birth, and parenting experiences across Denver and Aurora. This is a container of transparent conversations between you and other community stakeholders, guided relationship-building, and community-driven advocacy co-led by you.

Why Join?

The Consortium gives you the opportunity to:

• Build a thriving network of support around Infant & Birthing People’s health outcomes

• Gain systemic and political understanding of “how things happen”  in the infant and maternal health system

• Share your voice and experiences to improve your community.

• Advocate and co-lead efforts that create positive change

• Celebrate and honor the beauty and resilience of you and your community

Who Should Join?

• FFRC Participants

• Former CAN Participants

• Parents

• Caregivers

• Birth workers

• Local Stakeholders in the industries below

  • Perinatal & Postnatal

  • Infant & Maternal Healthcare

  • Healthcare

  • Education

• Community members who simply want to improve infant and maternal health

How We Work

• The Consortium is broken down into 3 committees; each committee meets virtually once a month. (We will explain these committees in our first few meetings, and you can elect to participate in 1-2)

  • The For Us By Us Committee

  • The Data Into Action Committee

  • The No Wrong Door Committee

• Two FFRC staff members facilitate meetings:

  • Move you (the group) through honest conversations

  • Help you (the group) define a shared vision that aligns with Healthy Start Objectives

  • Focuses your (the group’s) vision into achievable, trackable, and time-bound actions

  • Helps assign you (the group) roles and specific actions that will achieve our Consortium goal.

• Time commitment: 1-2 hours a month

If you are interested in learning more or joining the Consortium, please email Zakiya@FamiliesForwardRC.org.