NHVRC Model Profile

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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. 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 to 70 percent of families with newborns in each community it serves.

What is the model’s approach to providing home visiting services?

Who is implementing the model?

Home Visitors
Family Connects was implemented by 129 full-time equivalent (FTE) home visitors in 2022. 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 enroll six to eight new families per week.

Supervisors
Family Connects was implemented by 29 FTE nurse supervisors in 2022.
Where is the model implemented?

Family Connects operated in 35 local agencies across 16 states in 2022.

The NHVRC is a partnership of James Bell Associates and the Urban Institute. Support is provided by the Heising-Simons Foundation and previously was also provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the foundations. For a detailed methodology, see the 2023 Home Visiting Yearbook.

Families Served Through Evidence-Based Home Visiting in 2022

18,879

home visits provided
including 7,529 virtual visits

17,696

families served

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