Family Connects
Family Connects is a population health model and systems-building strategy with nurse home visits at the center. The model offers newborn and postpartum health assessments via a registered nurse, who systematically assesses family needs, provides supportive guidance, and links families to community resources, as needed and desired. Family Connects identifies and aligns community services that support families and young children, resulting in improved communication and continuity across service providers. Through this alignment, the model also identifies gaps between family needs and available community resources. Family Connects aims to reach at least 60 to 70 percent of families with newborns in each community it serves.
What is the model’s approach to providing home visiting services?
Home visits take place 2 to 3 weeks after birth, offering one to three home visits in total. Family Connects recommends families initiate services before the child is 12 weeks old. Families may enroll until the child is 6 months old.
Family Connects serves all families with newborns.
Who is implementing the model?
Home Visitors
Family Connects was implemented by 108.7 full-time equivalent (FTE) home visitors in 2021. 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. Home visitors are required to maintain a caseload of six to eight new families per week.
Supervisors
Family Connects was implemented by 28.1 FTE supervisors in 2021. The model requires a bachelor’s degree for supervisors; a master’s degree is recommended.
Where is the model implemented?
Family Connects operated in 28 local agencies across 12 states in 2021.
Families Served Through Evidence-Based Home Visiting in 2021
Race
<1% American Indian/Alaska Native
4% Asian
29% Black
<1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
52% White
4% Multiple
11% Another race
Ethnicity
29% Hispanic or Latino
71% Not Hispanic or Latino
Child age
100% <1 year
0% 1-2 years
0% 3-5 years
Child insurance status
58% Public
39% Private
3% None
Primary language
81% English
15% Spanish
4% Another language
Caregiver education
13% No HS diploma
29% HS diploma or GED
23% Some college or training
34% Bachelor's degree or higher
Caregiver age
2% <18 years
26% 18-24 years
29% 25-30 years
43% >30 years