Family Connects International 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
112147
Families Served
198753
Referrals Made To Community Services
738
Nurses Trained
Where We Work
Discover where we work—click on a state below to explore our FCI locations.
Our Story
Family Connects International (FCI) 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, FCI became an independent nonprofit, expanding its reach and deepening its impact.
By integrating short-term nurse visits with community resources, FCI 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.
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
The Latest from Family Connects International on Facebook
Darlene’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to patient advocacy make her an exemplary candidate for this recognition. For over five years, Darlene has been integral to the Family Connects team, balancing her responsibilities while consistently exceeding expectations. She played a crucial role in establishing Family Connects at Rush Medical Center, contributing to the startup process, building the department’s infrastructure, and fostering key relationships with Pediatric and OB providers to ensure seamless service integration. ![]()
![]()
Darlene took the initiative by creating the antiracism book club, leading impactful discussions on implementing these concepts into practice, which has fostered a more inclusive and equitable environment for staff and patients alike. Most recently, Darlene maintained her caseload while stepping into the role of nurse manager during a staff member’s maternity leave. This demonstrated her exceptional time management skills and leadership, ensuring continuity of care and smooth operations. Darlene is also committed to mentoring new nurses. She consistently offers guidance and support, inspiring a collaborative and compassionate team environment.![]()
![]()
Join the entire Family Connects community and Chicago Department of Public Health in wholeheartedly celebrating Darlene’s LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD!![]()
![]()
#familyconnects #nursingawards #fci
Lillian quickly became the nurse with the highest number of home visits per month. As a bilingual nurse, Lillian was seeing families with the lowest resource-capacity, many of whom were new arrivals to the county or refugees. Often these families do not understand our healthcare system, standard postpartum appointments, hold differing cultural beliefs, have a low support systems and do not know where to obtain assistance.![]()
![]()
Many families are financially unable to purchase a essential items for their newborn. Lillian is known for finding community-based organizations who can help and personally delivering these items to families. Her experience and feedback were essential in securing a grant to provide these essential items to families. ![]()
![]()
Lillian prioritizes her team’s wellbeing, by ensuring they have the support they need and advocated for manageable caseloads. Due to her extensive experience with complex cases, she is often the go-to person for assistance with such cases in any of our 4 sites.![]()
![]()
Always willing to assist, she also helped with onboarding and precepting of nurses for the FC expansion to Mercer County.![]()
![]()
Lillian exemplifies the LEADER OF THE YEAR! ![]()
![]()
JOIN FCI and New Jersey Department of Children and Families IN CELEBRATING LILLIAN! ![]()
#familyconnects #nursingawards #fci
Brandie exemplifies nursing excellence, bringing decades of experience to her role as FC New Jersey Program Director. Brandie's leadership helped launch the FC model in eleven NJ counties with plans for expansion. Brandie is a champion for the nursing profession. She has provided essential training to nurse teams on recruiting a diverse and culturally competent workforce. She has leveraged relationships to offer critical training to nurse home visitors, including explicit/implicit bias training and intimate partner violence training, among others. ![]()
![]()
Brandie is responsible for developing the Nurse Pathways Program Scholarship providing tuition assistance and supports to nursing students who will join the FCNJ team as home visitors. ![]()
![]()
Brandie also serves as a preceptor in the Leadership Across the Continuum Practicum through the Rutgers School of Nursing and was recognized at the Rutgers Health Distinguished Preceptor Appreciation Event for her contributions. ![]()
![]()
Everyone would be fortunate to have a PRECEPTOR like Brandie!![]()
![]()
JOIN FCINew Jersey Department of Children and Familiesilies IN CELEBRATING Brand#familyconnectsn#nursingawardsw#fci #fci
Bring Family Connects to Your Community
Join us in providing vital support to newborns and their families by implementing Family Connects in your area.
SENIOR CONTRACTS OFFICER
IMPLEMENTATION SPECIALIST
SENIOR INTERNAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST
FINANCE AND HR SPECIALIST
ANALYTICS SPECIALIST
TEAM LEAD, ADVANCED IMPLEMENTATION SPECIALIST
COMMITTEE MEMBER, FOUNDER
COMMITTEE MEMBER, FOUNDER
COMMITTEE MEMBER
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
VICE CHAIR
TREASURER