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Essential Connections for Each and Every Newborn

Family Connects strengthens connections for families with newborns and links them directly to supportive community care resources.

Through universal nurse home visits model, we provide guidance, healthcare connections, and reassurance to new parents to ensure every newborn gets the care and support they need to thrive.

Making an Impact, One Family at a Time

Our Journey Since 2017

149491

Families Served

250424

Referrals Made To Community Services

880

Nurses Trained

Where We Work

Discover where we work—click on a state below to explore our Family Connects locations.

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Our Story

Family Connects International began in 2008 as a partnership between the Center for Child & Family Health and Duke University to support families with free, universal nurse home visits. In 2022, Family Connects became an independent nonprofit, expanding its reach and deepening its impact.

By integrating short-term nurse visits with community resources, Family Connects ensures families receive the support they need during the postpartum period. Today, we continue working nationwide to foster healthier outcomes for newborns and their families.

See Our Impact

Real Results That Make a Difference

Randomized controlled trials of the Family Connects model in 2009 and 2014 revealing significant benefits:

50%

Fewer ER Visits and Hospital Stays for Babies in the First Year

30%

Lower Risk of Postpartum Depression for Mothers

15%

Increase in Community Resource Engagement

News & Highlights

Pride Month Celebrates Seen, Supported, Connected Families

June 1, 2026

Continue Reading Pride Month Celebrates Seen, Supported, Connected Families

National Nurses Week

May 6, 2026

Continue Reading National Nurses Week

The Latest from Family Connects on Facebook

Family Connects

2 days ago

We're honored that Family Connects was featured in the 2021–2024 NC Medicaid Maternal Health Quality Report as an initiative helping improve the health and well-being of mothers and infants across North Carolina. The report highlights Family Connects' evidence-based nurse home visiting model, which provides personalized support, health assessments, and connections to community resources during the critical postpartum period. In 2024 alone, more than 4,000 North Carolina families received a Family Connects visit, helping ensure parents and newborns receive the right support at the right time.We're proud to partner with communities across North Carolina to strengthen family well-being, improve access to care, and support healthy beginnings for every newborn.Read the full report: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/2021-2024-nc-medi… … See MoreSee Less

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Family Connects

3 days ago

Not only do approximately two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths occur during the postpartum period, but 87% of maternal deaths in the postpartum period are considered preventable.PREVENTABLE.We. Can. Do. Better. And we do better by providing:– Early identification of warning signs– Regular check-ins with a trained professional– Mental health screening and support– Connections to medical care before complications escalate– A trusted source of guidance during recoveryWith universal, nurse-led home visits, Family Connects helps catch complications early, supports emotional wellbeing, and ensures parents are connected to the right care at the right time.Preventable deaths demand preventative solutions.Let’s do Better. Visit FamilyConnects.org to learn more.…#FamilyConnects #MaternalHealth #PostpartumCare #MaternalMortality #EarlyIntervention #HealthyFamilies #EvidenceBasedCare #SupportNewMothers … See MoreSee Less

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Family Connects

4 days ago

We are excited to share our June 2026 Quarterly Impact Update! Navigating the postpartum period offers both wonderful opportunities and distinct challenges, which is why the Family Connects evidence-based nurse visiting model is designed to support ALL families welcoming a new baby.The Data Speaks for Itself: -Expanding Reach: Now active in 94 communities across 21 states, serving over 155,000 families since 2017. -Critical Care: 94% of families identified at least one need during their home visit. In NJ, 17% of evaluations caught urgent health concerns that couldn't wait for a regular appointment. -Mental Health Matters: Participating mothers were 30% less likely to experience possible postpartum depression or anxiety. -Community Approved: An overwhelming 99% of participants would recommend these universal nurse visits to others!As one first-time father shared: "Our nurse took the time to answer all of our questions with patience and clarity."Let's ensure the right support at the right time isn't determined by a zip code.For more insights on Family Connects' impact this quarter, please visit familyconnects.org/2026/06/08/june-2026-quarterly-impact-update/#FamilyConnects #PostpartumSupport #MaternalHealth #NewbornCare #InfantHealth #EarlyChildhood #HealthcareImpact … See MoreSee Less

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Bring Family Connects to Your Community

Join us in providing vital support to newborns and their families by implementing Family Connects in your area.

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COMMITTEE MEMBER

Bonnie Hepler (RN, MSW, MSPH, PhD) serves as Consulting Nurse Educator at FCI, where she oversees the development of accredited nurse trainings and materials. Bonnie is Assistant Professor at Duke University School of Nursing. She earned her PhD at Duke University in the School of Nursing and is a Fellow in Early Relational Health at University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine. As an F31 recipient, she studies relationships between mothers, infants and healthcare providers. She has prior experience as a Labor and Delivery/Postpartum Nurse with the Women’s Birth and Wellness Center and as a Labor and Delivery Nurse and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to her Labor and Delivery experience, Dr. Hepler worked at RTI International promoting maternal and child health domestically and globally.

Her research specialized in caring for vulnerable populations, studying caregiver child interactions, and ensuring that all people receive quality, compassionate care. From evaluating breastfeeding policies in the Middle East to the impact of long acting reversible contraception in sub-Saharan Africa, Hepler shows a commitment to empowering women. Before joining RTI, she served as a research assistant with the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute focusing on teaching research methods to diverse audiences. Dr. Hepler also has worked with the Center for Maternal and Infant Health at the University of North Carolina on research and dissemination projects addressing topics such as use of 17P (progesterone) for preterm birth, postpartum depression, and healthy habits during pregnancy. Dr. Hepler interned for more than a year at UNC Hospitals as a social worker focused on pediatric oncology and inpatient child abuse. She also has experience as the Co-Director of SHAC, the oldest student run, free health clinic in the country.