Family Connects Model Description

Family Connects is a universal nurse home visiting model available to all families with newborns residing within a defined service area. The model aims to help families enhance maternal and child health and well-being and reduce rates of child abuse and neglect. It consists of one nurse home visit within three weeks of birth and follow-up contacts to confirm families’ successful linkages with community resources. During the initial home visit, a nurse conducts assessments of the mother and newborn. Nurses may make one or two follow-up visits or calls to provide additional focused support. If a family has a significant risk or need, the nurse might advise the family to seek immediate medical care. The model began as a pilot under the name Durham Connects and is being replicated under the name Family Connects.