Initiative

Family Connects

The Family Connects universal newborn nurse home visiting program is an evidence-based model that combines engagement and alignment of community service providers with short-term nurse home visiting. It is a voluntary program and is provided at no cost to families.

A registered nurse connects with a family in their home shortly after birth to: share the joy of the birth; assess the child’s and birthing person’s physical health status (as applicable); assess unique family strengths and challenges; and respond to immediate family needs. Working together with the family and building on identified strengths, the nurse connects the family with local community resources based on individually identified needs, priorities and preferences. And in turn, the caregiver connects with their child’s needs, supporting caregiver and child health, caregiver-child relationship, child development, and long-term family adjustment.

Home Pathways Action Map Family Connects

Fast Facts

Relevant Actions	Action 2.1, Action 2.2, Action 2.3
State or Local?	Local
Counties	Ashe, Avery, Cumberland, Durham, Guilford, Henderson, Hoke, Polk, Robeson, Watauga
Lead Agency	Family Connects International
Type of Agency	Nonprofit
Racial Equity Lens	Staff must understand community values and needs Listen and adapt Nurse hires reflect the community Provides compassionate care to every family
Community Voice	Our community partners are supported to include families within their Community Advisory Boards. Community partners may alternatively develop family member boards to raise up family voice. Community partners are supported to include families in the initial design and planning process at the local level
Impact	Launched in 3 new Preschool Development Grant funded communities in NC 98% of the families assess in these communities had some type of need identified by a nurse. Referrals made in the last year in those communities included 1,346 referrals for household safety, 955 referrals related to parent/child relationship (such as local parenting classes) and 473 for parent/caregiver mental health support –along with many other referrals.
Next Steps	Sustaining the current programs Increasing saturation into the eligible population at the community level Continuously improving practices to reach, support and connect families
Primary Partners	Community based organizations (such as local Smart Start partnerships) Birthing hospitals and community health departments
Primary Funders	Philanthropy Federal PDG grant dollars Medicaid Local funding
Contact	Kimberly Friedman

Active Counties

Pathways Action Map