Family Check-Up
Family Check-Up (FCU) promotes social and emotional adjustment in children by reducing coercive and negative parenting, increasing positive parenting, and reducing maternal depression. Targeted outcomes in early childhood include reductions in behavioral problems at home and school, reductions in emotional distress, and increases in self-regulation and school readiness.
What is the model’s approach to providing home visiting services?
The model is adaptive and tailored to each family. The frequency of home visits varies by families’ needs. Families typically receive a total of six to nine home visits.
FCU serves all families with young children and does not recommend or require any specific family characteristics for enrollment.
Who is implementing the model?
Home Visitors
The model recommends a master’s degree for home visitors. Home visitors may also
have a bachelor’s degree with sufficient experience and supervisory support. There are
no requirements for home visitor caseload limits.
Supervisors
The model strongly recommends a master’s degree for supervisors. Supervisors may also have a bachelor’s degree with extensive relevant experience.
Where is the model implemented?
FCU operated in 57 local agencies across 18 states in 2025.
Families Served Through Evidence-Based Home Visiting in 2025
Mission
FCU’s approach is rooted in collaboration, empathy, and empowerment. The model aims to help each family thrive using non-judgmental and supportive methods. FCU works with families to build upon their existing strengths and identify areas for improvement.
History
For over 30 years, FCU has demonstrated benefits and long-term impacts for families and children. Research shows that FCU improves parenting skills, parent involvement in schools, and child self-regulation, and reduces family conflict. In 2021, Dr. Elizabeth Stormshak founded Northwest Prevention Science, in partnership with the University of Oregon Prevention Science Institute. Northwest Prevention Science provides FCU implementation support and training for behavioral and mental health professionals.