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, including other 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 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 the infant is discharged from the birth hospital. Families can receive up to two follow-up visits based on nurse clinical judgement.
Who is implementing the model?
Home Visitors
Family Connects was implemented by 234 full-time equivalent (FTE) home visitors in 2024. 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 52 FTE nurse supervisors in 2024.
Where is the model implemented?
Family Connects operated in 50 local agencies across 19 states in 2024.
Families Served Through Evidence-Based Home Visiting in 2024
Race
<1% American Indian Alaska Native
6% Asian
23% Black
25% Hispanic
<1% Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander
31% White
10% Multiple
3% Another race
Child age
100% <1 year
0% 1-2 years
0% 3-5 years
Child insurance status
60% Public
37% Private
3% None
Caregiver primary language
70% English
26% Spanish
4% Another language
Caregiver education
17% No HS diploma
29% HS diploma or GED
17% Some college or training
38% Bachelor's degree or higher
Caregiver age
2% <18 years
21% 18-24 years
27% 25-30 years
50% >30 years