CAPPA professionals approach their work with expectant families during the perinatal year with a desire to educate, support, and to see all families succeed.  The CAPPA Approach is built on the CAPPA Vision, which supports the four cornerstones.  These cornerstones are:

• Using evidence-based information in practice 

• Embracing positive mental attitudes  

• Approaching all situations with a loving, non-judgmental mindset 

• Building bridges amongst support and healthcare professionals

The four cornerstones mutually support one another, and are strengthened by the commitment of CAPPA members and professionals.  The CAPPA Approach is a strong foundation upon which to build education and support services to growing families.

The CAPPA Approach differs from a method in that it allows the freedom for CAPPA professionals to incorporate their own style, meet the particular needs of their community, and teach the curriculum that best matches their skill set. CAPPA professionals are able to utilize a large variety of techniques, skills, and coping strategies that are both evidence-based and personalized to the individual, as opposed to being limited to a set, static method.  Additionally, The CAPPA Approach differs from a method in that it embraces current evidence-based information, and can grow and transform to stay relevant to the families served by CAPPA professionals.

CAPPA recognizes and appreciates the fact that medical advancements and technologies are important tools when needed.  CAPPA encourages women to trust their bodies throughout the perinatal experience. CAPPA professionals are trained to dispel myths about pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding. 

CAPPA believes that all women have the right to make informed decisions regarding their options throughout pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and breastfeeding. CAPPA supports and encourages families to choose healthcare providers and the place of birth that most reflects and supports their values and needs. CAPPA trains professionals to provide unbiased education. The CAPPA Approach does not use fear or guilt as a motivator but instead encourages families to make intuitive and informed decisions. CAPPA professionals have the opportunity and responsibility to help parents recognize their own values without imposing their own personal biases. 

CAPPA professionals encourage parental responsibility during pregnancy and beyond. We recognize that these decisions include selecting the healthcare professionals, the place of birth, as well as feeding and parenting decisions that are compatible with a family’s personal needs and values. CAPPA recognizes a family’s responsibility to make the decisions that are best for them. While respecting parental decisions, it is important to note that CAPPA also supports the professional’s own boundaries and values. 

The birthing person has the right to be surrounded by those they love and trust during the perinatal period. Their emotional support team is as vital to their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience as their healthcare team. Research has shown that women accompanied by a complete support team during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and breastfeeding have better outcomes overall and have higher satisfaction with their experiences. 

The CAPPA Philosophy forms the principles for how CAPPA professionals work with families. The CAPPA Vision and four cornerstones of The CAPPA Approach serve as a strong framework that guides the CAPPA Mission.