Meet Jessica Stern | Co-founder & COO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Stern and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
If the U.S. military uses advanced technology to keep Americans safe by tracking the bad actors and their networks who pose a threat to national security, then how could we apply the same technology and techniques to find family and community connections that would keep our most vulnerable children safe?

A few years ago, Dr. Jennifer Jacobs, then a nuclear physicist and White House fellow, read an article in Time magazine about
the most successful techniques to find permanent, loving families for children in need. She immediately saw the place where national security and child welfare intersect.

At the same time, I was was building out a family tree and community network around my hometown to learn more about why me and my 7 siblings were placed in 3 different foster homes across 3 different towns. My discovered family history would contribute to recovering from childhood trauma while laying a strong foundation to start my own family.

When Jennifer and I met, a great idea turned into connecting thousands of children to healthy, bright futures.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve got a background in professional management working in both the private and public sector. I’d classify myself as an accidental leader who tends to be a decent problem-solver… I enjoy connecting the dots so to speak.

When we launched Connect Our Kids, I knew we could use technology to help children in foster care that would otherwise fall through the cracks by speeding up the ability of child welfare professionals to quickly identify loving family members and other caring adults like favorite teachers, coaches, and neighbors.

The technology challenges were straightforward, we’re simply scaling up best practices giving all social workers, CASA volunteers, and family recruiters the ability to do their jobs with an efficiency our most vulnerable children deserve.

Unfortunately, America’s child welfare system is fragmented from state to state with most professionals using outdated technology on top of overwhelming case loads. This presents different challenges across the country and we find that our success is driven by the forward-leaning professionals county by county.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
While I live in Virginia, one of my all time favorite spots is the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. I got married there so there is a strong connection and memories that will last a lifetime.

If I had the opportunity to a create the perfect week long trip for my nearest and dearest I’d recreate that experience all over again. Hikes on Camelback Mountain, afternoon swimming, a little rest and relaxation, great food and meaningful conversations.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Personally, I’d like to give a shoutout to the community of St. Marys, Ohio. Had it not been for so many wonderful humans reaching out to our family when tragedy struck in 1985 our family would have never recovered. Connections matter, and this small town pulled together to help me and my 7 siblings when we lost our mother to breast cancer. Food, clothes, emotional support and foster homes were provided until my father could garner enough strength to move forward.

Professionally, I’d like to give a shoutout to the forward-leaning child welfare professionals who helped design the Connect Our Kids family search technology platform on nights and weekends. These people are walking angels and their dedication to America’s most vulnerable is awe-inspiring. Connections matter, and these professionals are doing everything in their power to connect children in foster care to loving extended family members and other caring adults. Child welfare professionals are America’s unsung heroes.

Website: https://www.connectourkids.org/

Instagram: Connect Our Kids

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/6649612/admin/

Twitter: Connect Our Kids

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectourkids/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcl4SWn46q3rAB7xX8E3SqQ

Image Credits
Connect Our Kids Co-founder, Jessica Stern, with the late Senator John McCain at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at Washington, DC at the announcement launching Connect Our Kids.