America is one of the only countries in the world without federal paid family leave. We are changing that — for every mother, every father, and every family.
From the moment a family decides to grow, the system works against them. Fertility treatments cost tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket. Mothers return to work weeks after giving birth — not because they are ready, but because they have no choice. Childcare costs more than college tuition in 41 states. And when the fourth trimester arrives, postpartum support is either inaccessible or unaffordable for most families.
Family Forward is the movement that says no more. We are fighting for federal and state policy that supports the full family journey — from fertility through postpartum — because a nation is only as strong as the families building it.
100 million American workers have no access to paid family leave through their jobs. The United States is one of only 8 countries in the world without a federal paid maternity leave program.
Source: National Partnership for Women and Families, 2026
The average American family spends 15% of household income on childcare — more than double the federal affordability benchmark of 7%. In 45 states, childcare for two children costs more than a mortgage payment.
Source: Child Care Aware of America, 2024
1 in 6 couples experience infertility. A single IVF cycle costs $15,000–$30,000 out of pocket. Only 21 states require any insurance coverage for fertility treatments.
Source: CDC / RESOLVE, 2025
1 in 5 mothers experience postpartum mood disorders. The majority go untreated — not because treatment doesn't exist, but because it is inaccessible or unaffordable. The U.S. is the only high-income country with no universal postpartum home visit program.
Source: Postpartum Support International / ScienceDirect, 2024
Family Forward advocates for five interconnected policies that together cover the full family journey. These are not radical proposals — they are proven standards in peer nations around the world. The question is not whether they work. The question is how long the United States will choose to be the exception.
offers 480 days of shared parental leave at 80% wage replacement. Every child is entitled to a childcare place from 12 months. Parents pay no more than 3% of income for care.
provides up to 49 weeks at 100% wage replacement. After introducing paid paternity leave, father uptake grew from 24% to 60% within 13 years — because policy design drives behavior.
is the only high-income country offering universal postpartum care beyond 8 weeks — 16 weeks for all mothers, up to one year for complex cases. The U.S. standard is a single 6-week checkup.
These are not outliers. The United States is.
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