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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

146079

Families Served

245715

Referrals Made To Community Services

852

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

National Nurses Week

May 6, 2026

Continue Reading National Nurses Week

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

May 4, 2026

Continue Reading Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

National Home Visiting Week: Meeting Families Where They Are

April 20, 2026

Continue Reading National Home Visiting Week: Meeting Families Where They Are

The Latest from Family Connects on Facebook

Family Connects

4 days ago

In recognition of National High Blood Pressure Education Month, we’re highlighting 2024 Good Catch Award recipient Lori Ginther-Hutt (Pierce County, WA) for her commitment to early detection and follow-up care that helps protect maternal health.Through attentive in-home visits, Lori identified dangerously high blood pressure in multiple cases and acted quickly—ensuring one mother received emergency care and continuing to advocate for medication adjustments and safe treatment after discharge.Lori’s work reflects the importance of early intervention in preventing complications like high blood pressure, helping keep moms and babies safe.#FamilyConnects #FamilySupport #StrongerCommunities #HomeVisiting #NationalHighBloodPressureEducationMonth … See MoreSee Less

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Family Connects

5 days ago

The fact is 87% of pregnancy-related deaths are considered preventable.The opportunity is clear: with the right support, delivered at the right time, we can change outcomes for families across this country.And when visionaries like Olivia Walton not only raise awareness but call for bold, coordinated action to improve maternal and child health, Family Connects mobilizes to bring nurse visits to families with newborns everywhere.Investing in postpartum care supports healthier families, builds stronger communities, and saves lives. Read Olivia Walton Op-Ed: www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/11/opinion-olivia-walton-a-five-year-sprint-to-cut-us-matern…Or better yet, listen to the conversation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAhIV9Qz97c#familyconnects #MaternalHealth #PublicHealth #InvestInFamilies #StrongerStarts #PreventionMatters … See MoreSee Less

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Family Connects

5 days ago

When we welcome a baby into the world, we’re not just meeting a newborn— we’re meeting a potential future full of hopes and aspirations. We imagine them growing strong. We hope for health, for joy, for opportunity. We hope for a life surrounded by love and support. And here’s the beautiful truth: The foundation for all those hopes begins right now. When families receive the support they need early on—guidance, connection, and care—it illuminates the path ahead. At Family Connects, we’re here to walk with families from the very beginning: each and every newborn, each and every, each and every community. Learn more at FamilyConnects.org … #FamilyConnects #HealthyFamilies #NewParentSupport #BrightFutures #EarlyChildhood #SupportNewFamilies #CommunityCare #InvestInFamilies … 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.