As the only national patient advocacy organization solely dedicated to the adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population, ACHA embraces our unique and critical role. For nearly 30 years, we have delivered timely, accurate, and credible information and programming to our stakeholders in a variety of ways. Our trusted voice allows us to connect, educate, and empower the ACHD community like no other organization can, ensuring that critical knowledge and resources reach those who need them most.
Our new Vision 2030 Strategic Plan charts our path forward. We will advance access to expert care, strengthen our community, and ensure that every person with congenital heart disease (CHD) can live a full and healthy life, today and in the future.
We are proud to report that more than 1,000 members of the ACHA community contributed to Vision 2030. Applying a systematic, yearlong process that involved surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews, we developed an ambitious plan that truly represents the voices of all those impacted by ACHD. Our Vision 2030 committees and subcommittees that devoted months of work to all aspects of the new plan were representative of the full organization and encompassed all boards, volunteer groups, staff and more. They gave their time, talent and commitment in dedication of the nearly 2 million adults with CHD.
Vision 2030 will stretch ACHA in new and exciting ways, aiming for advancements in medical research, increased legislative advocacy, ensuring ACHA ACHD accreditation meets our community’s changing needs, and more. Our community demands we have big goals, which is represented in this document that will guide us for the next five years. There is much to be done, and we hope you will be there to partner with us, every step of the way.
Our Vision 2030 Strategic Goals
The goals and strategies that follow will guide ACHA’s work under Vision 2030 and reflect our commitment to advancing care, strengthening community, and improving the lives of adults with CHD.
1. We will lead the way by championing progress and improving patient wellbeing through innovative research, setting high care standards, and supporting year-round advocacy.
- We will work with partners inside and outside our organization to conduct research that helps the ACHD community, supports both mental and physical health, and clearly demonstrates how our work improves people’s lives
- We will improve care by increasing the value of program accreditation, improving ACHD expertise across the healthcare community, and staying flexible and responsive as the healthcare environment evolves.
- We will inspire and train volunteers to work with healthcare and government groups at all levels, leading strong advocacy efforts that create real and lasting change.
- We will grow our impact by building strong partnerships within and beyond the CHD community and work with key lawmakers to champion and support policies that will improve the lives of all people living with chronic conditions.
2. We will engage and empower the CHD community by expanding peer support and delivering enhanced educational tools.
- We will enrich the Peer Support experience by expanding beyond one-on-one connections to include group-based opportunities that nurture strong relationships and build lasting bonds with ACHA.
- We will foster meaningful peer connections across ACHA and the CHD community that inspire engagement, celebrate strengths, encourage volunteerism, spark fundraising, and build a united, supportive community.
- We will modernize and expand ACHA’s digital tools and resources, using appropriate platforms and methodologies to engage diverse audiences and empower the CHD community.
- We will collaborate with medical providers, patients, and families to create credible, timely educational resources—delivered in ways that are easy to find, use, and share.
3. We will deepen our impact and expand our reach by creating local communities of strength across the country.
- We will create local communities of strength in key regions across the country by identifying high-impact opportunities and investing in the conditions that foster success—inspiring engagement, spurring sustained financial support, and fueling growth nationwide.
- We will enhance these communities by empowering volunteer ambassadors, recognizing success, identifying and sharing best practices, and leveraging each community’s unique qualities to grow engagement, advocacy, and fundraising.
- We will forge mission-aligned partnerships with hospitals, businesses, and nonprofits to expand our reach and impact in these communities.
- We will invest in infrastructure to unite local communities of strength through shared systems, unified branding, and clear data tracking—embracing local uniqueness while keeping every community aligned to ACHA’s national mission.
4. We will build a culture of continuous improvement that enhances ACHA’s effectiveness, adaptability, and impact across all aspects of the organization.
- We will expand ACHA’s capacity by strategically engaging outside experts for prioritizing and implementing high-value initiatives, while preserving our volunteer and staff-driven foundation.
- We will intentionally and purposefully use technology that will strengthen internal operations and efficiency, increase engagement and fundraising, and provide insights that lead to informed decisions.
- We will develop a robust HR framework that supports ongoing recruitment, training, and acknowledgement of the best people to lead and grow ACHA, cultivating a community of caring individuals who reflect the emerging priorities of those we serve.
5. We will create a culture of urgency to all we do, encouraging donors and partners to invest in a stronger future for everyone living with CHD.
- We will inspire action that encourages commitment and fundraising and shows that ACHA is an essential resource for the CHD community by widely sharing authentic stories that highlight how ACHA improves care and quality of life.
- We will amplify ACHA’s impact and visibility by ensuring that every message—across all stakeholders—reflects a clear and cohesive vision of ACHA’s value.
- We will drive urgent action by mobilizing volunteers and partners through impactful opportunities to advocate, fundraise, and lead.
- We will build confidence and inspire engagement among CHD stakeholders by openly sharing how we steward resources and by highlighting ACHA’s real, lasting impact.