How we started:

A play on the term "extended family," the name Family. Extended. reflects the organization's vision: Improved health outcomes in the East Central Perinatal Region of Virginia through an active and caring extended family, the community. Family. Extended.'s mission was to assist the community in identifying gaps in maternal-child support systems and to support the community in addressing those gaps through education and evidence based initiatives.
The need for such an organization was recognized by the East Central Regional Perinatal Council, which coordinated the regional Fetal Infant Mortality Review ("FIMR") Program in central Virginia. According to FIMR program findings, women who experience fetal or infant loss frequently report weak or non-existent family, community, and healthcare provider support systems either during their pregnancies or after their babies' death.
Family. Extended. embraces the South African philosophy of ubuntu, which loosely translates to humanity, or the essence of being human. Click on the photo of Archbishop Desmond Tutu for an explanation of ubuntu.
The need for such an organization was recognized by the East Central Regional Perinatal Council, which coordinated the regional Fetal Infant Mortality Review ("FIMR") Program in central Virginia. According to FIMR program findings, women who experience fetal or infant loss frequently report weak or non-existent family, community, and healthcare provider support systems either during their pregnancies or after their babies' death.
Family. Extended. embraces the South African philosophy of ubuntu, which loosely translates to humanity, or the essence of being human. Click on the photo of Archbishop Desmond Tutu for an explanation of ubuntu.
Image: Getty Images
Family. Extended. (EIN 45-3732846) is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and is guided by its Advisory Board.
Virginia Regional Perinatal Council funding was a program of the Virginia Department of Health, Maternal and Child Services Block Grant, Title V.