Family Connects
Family Connects is designed to support whole-person, integrated health for all families after birth, including families with newborns and those who have experienced a loss. Family Connects nurses are trained to carefully assess the physical and mental health of mothers and newborns and to discuss concrete next steps to address opportunities and concerns, including seeking immediate medical care when necessary. They work together with families and build from identified strengths to connect them to community resources that meet their needs and preferences, including targeted, intensive home visiting programs. Family Connects nurses also keep the whole family in mind, recommending appropriate mental health services or medical care for other family members as needed—and they follow up to make sure families’ needs are met. Family Connects aims to reach at least 60 percent of eligible families in each community it serves.
What is the model’s approach to providing home visiting services?
All postpartum families in an affiliated community are offered a nurse home visit at no
cost to the family. Home visits last up to 2 hours and typically take place when the infant is about 3 weeks old. Families can receive a pre-visit for a targeted need and/or up to two follow-up visits based on family need and nurse clinical judgement.
Who is implementing the model?
Home Visitors
Family Connects was implemented by 295 full-time equivalent (FTE) home visitors
in 2025. Home visiting providers are Registered Nurses with up-to-date professional
licenses, who function within the state’s Nurse Practice Act and are trained to provide
newborn, caregiver, and family health and psychosocial assessments. Full-time home
visitors typically schedule six to eight visits per week.
Supervisors
Family Connects was implemented by 99 FTE nurse supervisors in 2025.
Where is the model implemented?
Family Connects operated in 73 local agencies across 20 states in 2025.
Families Served Through Evidence-Based Home Visiting in 2025
Race
<1% American Indian Alaska Native
6% Asian
22% Black
32% Hispanic
<1% Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander
<1% Middle Eastern North African
27% White
10% Multiple
2% Another race
Child age
9% <14 days
74% 14-34 days
11% 35-55 days
4% 56-83 days
1% >84 days
Child insurance status
59% Public
38% Private
3% None
Caregiver primary language
8% English
85% Spanish
7% Another language
Caregiver education
16% No HS diploma
29% HS diploma or GED
18% Some college or training
38% Bachelor's degree or higher
Caregiver age
1% <18 years
19% 18-24 years
32% 25-30 years
47% >30 years