Babies don’t come with an instruction manual…
Family Connects can help!
The Partnership for Children of Cumberland County is proud to be the home of Family Connects North Carolina, Southeastern Region. This program follows the evidence-based model of Family Connects International.
Family Connects is a community-wide in-home nurse visiting program available to families with newborns in Cumberland, Hoke, or Robeson Counties.
Families who sign up and are eligible will receive a home visit from a specially trained registered nurse from Carolina Collaborative Community Care (4C) nurse partner. This visit happens around 3 weeks after birth and no later than 12 weeks after birth. There is no cost to the family.
Hear from Family Connect Families and read how this program supports local families.
What does the Family Connects program do?
- Address the needs of every family member in the home of a newborn.
- Provides a health check for mother and baby.
- Offers education, support, and answers questions about newborn care.
- Connects families to resources and supports based on their individual needs and preferences.
- Enhances communication and data-driven decision-making between community partners and organizations, all to better address families’ needs.
What happens during a Family Connects home visit?
- postpartum health check
- safe sleeping info
- financial resources
- how to manage an infant’s crying
- breast or bottle-feeding
- back to work support
- family planning advice
- child care options
- postpartum depression screening
- understanding new family dynamics
- playgroups, parent support groups
- help with bathing, diapering, swaddling
- help with appointment scheduling
The Results
Family Connects International conducted Randomized Control Trials. Here are the results:
6 months after a visit:
- Families reported more connections to community resources and more frequent use of those services.
- Mothers reported more positive parenting behaviors.
- Homes were safer for all family members.
- Homes had more materials to support infant learning and development.
- Families chose higher quality childcare.
- Mothers reported less maternal anxiety.
12 months after a visit
- A 50% reduction in infants visiting the ER for medical care and overnight hospital stays.
24 months after a visit
- A 37% reduction in infants visiting the ER for medical care and overnight hospital stays.
60 months after a visit
- A 39% reduction in child abuse and maltreatment investigations.
If you are interested in more information or scheduling a visit, please complete the Family Connects Interest Form.
If you are a community stakeholder, email us if you would like more information.
This work is funded in part by North Carolina’s Preschool Development Grant, the Elizabeth A. Hudspeth Endowment Fund of the Cumberland Community Foundation, and the North Carolina Partnership for Children. The program is a collaboration between the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, the Hoke County Partnership for Children and Families, the Robeson County Partnership for Children, Family Connects International, Cape Fear Valley Health, and our nursing partner, Carolina Collaborative Community Care (4C).
