Family Connects
Family Connects is designed to support whole-person, integrated health for all families of newborns at a moment of life-changing transition. Family Connects nurses are trained to carefully assess newborns and mothers 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. 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 families with newborns in each community it serves.
What is the model’s approach to providing home visiting services?
All families with newborns 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 within the first 3 weeks after birth. Families can receive up to three home visits, though most receive one.
Who is implementing the model?
Home Visitors
Family Connects was implemented by 151 full-time equivalent (FTE) home visitors in 2023. 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 new families per week.
Supervisors
Family Connects was implemented by 35 FTE nurse supervisors in 2023.
Where is the model implemented?
Family Connects operated in 36 local agencies across 17 states in 2023.
Families Served Through Evidence-Based Home Visiting in 2023
Race
<1% American Indian Alaska Native
5% Asian
23% Black
<1% Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander
54% White
4% Multiple
12% Another race
Ethnicity
36% Hispanic or Latino
64% Not Hispanic or Latino
Child age
100% <1 year
0% 1-2 years
0% 3-5 years
Child insurance status
59% Public
38% Private
3% None
Caregiver primary language
73% English
23% Spanish
5% Another language
Caregiver education
15% No HS diploma
29% HS diploma or GED
20% Some college or training
36% Bachelor's degree or higher
Caregiver age
1% <18 years
21% 18-24 years
27% 25-30 years
52% >30 years