Family Connects Meets HHS Criteria

Model effectiveness research report last updated: 2023

Model overview

Theoretical approach

The Family Connects* model aims to intervene with families early to help them address health concerns and access support to reduce potential disparity gaps later, especially among families that are part of historically marginalized groups. Families in need might be unaware of local resources and how to navigate various systems to access services. Thus, registered nurses working as Family Connects home visitors provide free check-ups to mothers and babies during the early postpartum period and help connect families to local resources.

Family Connects is a universal model built on the premise that all families can benefit from postpartum nursing support or referrals. The model is designed to serve all families in a community, including families with surrogate, adoptive, and bereaved parents. The model’s aim to achieve population-level results is informed by a socioecological framework in which communities’ beliefs, practices, and environmental structures influence the choices, and thereby the actions, of the communities’ families. Similarly, communities are influenced by their state’s context, and each state is nested within a broader setting of national influences. Thus, Family Connects International (FCI) works at the national, state, community, and family levels to support newborns and their families.

*The model began in 2008 as Durham Connects—a pilot that served Durham County, North Carolina. As part of subsequent replication, the model was renamed Family Connects to reflect its larger service area. The model has not changed between the pilot and replication.

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Model services

Family Connects nurses assess newborns and their mothers. The nurses then use the assessment results to speak with families about concrete next steps to address opportunities and concerns. For example, they might advise a family to seek immediate medical care when necessary. Family Connects nurses consider the needs of the entire family and might recommend mental health services or medical care for other family members as needed. Program staff follow up with families to ensure their needs are met.

Please contact the model developer for information about the model’s curriculum.

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Intended population

The Family Connects model is a universal model in which all parents of newborns in a community are offered a home visit with a nurse within about three weeks of birth.

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Where to find out more

Kimberly Friedman, Managing Director, External Resources
Family Connects International
3710 University Drive, Suite 310
Durham, NC 27707

Email: info@familyconnects.org
Website: http://www.familyconnects.org/

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