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. See www.familyconnects.org for details.
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 51.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) home visitors in 2018. The model requires a bachelor’s degree for home visitors. Home visitors are required to maintain a caseload of six to eight new families per week.
Supervisors
Family Connects was implemented by 14.3 FTE supervisors in 2018. The model requires a bachelor’s degree for supervisors; a master’s degree is recommended.
Where is the model implemented?
Family Connects operated in 15 local agencies across 10 states in 2018.
