Left to Right: Latonya Smith, FCC nurse
Tayo Mbande, Chicago Birthworks Collective
Monica Mitchell, FCC Community Alignment Specialist
Family Connects
Contact
3710 University Dr,
Suite 310,
Durham, NC 27707
info@familyconnects.org
Watch as Family Connects Nurse, Barbara Ibrahim, shows CNN’s Medical Correspondent, Meg Tirrell, what a typical home visit looks like! CLICK TO WATCH
Family Connects International is dedicated to supporting families during those crucial early weeks after bringing a newborn home through our Nurse Home Visiting program. With the help of Family Connects nurses, we’re empowering parents and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive.
Family Connects Oregon was highlighted on CNN, shedding light on the pivotal role FCI’s Universal Nurse Home Visiting program has on reducing infant mortality and addressing health challenges faced by mothers, including anxiety and postpartum depression.
Family Connects New Jersey was featured on State of Affairs with Steve Adubato, showcasing the statewide program’s vital role in addressing maternal mortality and morbidity crisis. By offering universal nurse home visiting to ALL, Family Connects ensures EVERY individual giving birth in NJ receives essential care. Watch now: https://buff.ly/3SUrEQf
See the Full Episode Here: FCI starts at 1:30
FC Oregon Nurse, Barb Ibrahim, visits with Amber and Matt Luman and their new daughter, Esserley.
Family Connects Highlighted In NPR Article!
[Family Connects] “offers any family with a new baby a no-cost visit at home with a trained nurse…It’s the state’s response to a grim, American reality: The U.S. has one of the highest death rates of any wealthy nation for infants and new mothers. And no wonder. After birth, the only support many families in the U.S. can count on is the occasional, 15-minute check-in at the pediatrician’s office. A safety net made of gossamer. Now, Oregon is trying to change that.”
“Around 1 in 7 new mothers in the U.S. report postpartum depression…A study of Family Connects in Durham found mothers in the program were 30% less likely to experience possible postpartum depression or anxiety.”
“…Family Connects also found a big drop in Child Protective Services investigations into parents…[along with] a big drop in the number of trips new parents were making to the emergency room.”
Family Connects International is proud to celebrate our 2nd anniversary as a nonprofit organization in July! Over the past 2 years, we have remained committed to assisting our community partners in caring for newborns and their families through our universal nurse home visiting program! We want to thank our community partners, nurses, and staff for their dedication to the FCI mission of providing equitable care for newborns and families.
Special thanks to Welcome Baby of Durham, NC for the opportunity for the FCI team to commemorate this milestone meaningfully by volunteering. The FCI team sized and labeled maternity clothing as well as prepared information packets!
Nancy Segall (Clinical Director at Beyond the Baby Blues) and
Monica Mitchell (CDPH Public Health Administrator)
Monica Mitchell and Nancy Segall discuss the importance of maternal mental health and available resources to support mothers at a crucial time.
Listen:
Watch:
FCI, works with community partners across the USA, such as Family Connects Chicago, to ensure ALL newborns and families receive equitable and quality health care, support and resources.
The perinatal period is often described as a time of joy and hopeful expectation for mothers and families of newborns. The mounting pressure for mothers to display excitement and happiness during this time is enormous for some. It is no surprise that mothers of newborns often feel alone and experience increased sadness and low mood. Mental health challenges are very common and can impact any mother or expecting mother, regardless of background, during the perinatal period.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, Family Connects International highlights the importance of maternal mental health and well-being. Mental health disorders in mothers, such as mental health conditions and substance use disorders are major factors contributing to maternal deaths. In 2022, the CDC reported that over 80% of perinatal deaths were preventable. 23% of perinatal deaths are linked to mental health conditions including feelings of despair, restlessness, or substance abuse, which are the most significant problems associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period, affecting one-fifth of women. According to the CDC, one in eight women experience postnatal depression.
Though mental health conditions related to the perinatal period are not completely preventable, they can be managed, making recovery possible when symptoms of depression are detected, and mothers are provided with the resources needed to address their concerns.
Maternal Mental Health Warning Signs
During a Family Connects nurse home visit, registered nurses examine infants and assess mothers for needs and concerns. When a mother shares that she has been experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or any mental health condition, Family Connects’ registered nurses address the need by connecting her to local resources that will support and help her on her path to recovery.
Some risk factors for maternal mental health conditions are:
- History of mental health issues
- Family history of depression and anxiety, or any other health conditions
- Chronic health issues
- Relationship challenges during the perinatal time
During the postpartum period, mental health conditions may interfere with a mother’s ability to bond with her newborn, which is critical during this time. Women with postpartum depression may experience long-term sadness, lack of pleasure or disinterest in activities they usually enjoy, negative thoughts about their newborns or themselves, suicidal ideations, or other signs related to mental health challenges. It is important to understand the signs of perinatal mental health conditions and to connect mothers to resources to address their needs to make a full recovery.
Our mission is to ensure every family of a newborn receives equitable care within three weeks of birth. The Family Connects Universal Home Visiting Model addresses common challenges and concerns, including physical and mental health conditions. It also connects mothers to local support systems and resources to meet their needs. During a Family Connects nurse home visit, personalized plans and goals may be created in collaboration with the mother for childcare, health, and returning to work, if the mother chooses.
How Family Connects International Provides Care and Resources to Support Maternal Mental Health
The Family Connects Model integrates medical assistance with mental health resources. Family Connects International equips our community partners with training, resources, and support to connect families to local resources and provide newborns and their families with quality care. Registered nurses meet mothers and newborns at their homes, or at a location they are comfortable with, free of charge. Meeting mothers where they are most comfortable allows registered nurses and mothers to have conversations they might not normally have in public medical facilities.
The resources Family Connects nurses offer align with the mother’s mental health and physical needs discussed during the nurse home visit. Our registered nurses listen to mothers and work to provide them with needed tools and resources based on the needs identified. By the end of the nurse home visit, mothers are empowered and equipped to get the care they deserve. Studies have shown that the Family Connects early intervention program reduces the risk of mental health conditions. In a 2014 study, evidence indicated that the Family Connects model can reduce the likelihood of postpartum depression or anxiety by 30%.
Family Connects’ registered nurses are trained and equipped to address the whole person’s needs and the needs of their newborns and families. Our nurse home visits are completely confidential. There are countless accounts of new parents and their families who receive a nurse home visit from a Family Connects registered nurse highlighting the exceptional level of care delivered by our community partners and healthcare professionals. The testimonials received underscore the quality services our dedicated teams of nurses provide, ensuring the well-being of families and infants in communities nationwide. Our commitment to excellence shines through in the positive experiences and stories of those who have benefited from our nurse home visits.
Our mission revolves around ensuring that all families receive the necessary care and support during this crucial time. Family Connects Nurses embody our mission every day. To learn more about our nurse home-visiting model and how it improves the lives of mothers and newborns visit our website at FamilyConnects.org. Interested in becoming a community partner of FCI? Visit https://familyconnects.org/join-us/launch-a-family-connects-partnership/.