About Family Connects Oregon

Family Connects Oregon (FCO) is a free, nurse home visiting program for all families with newborns. 

The Family Connects Oregon program supports parents by linking nurses, community resources, and families. Its mission is to connect families with resources that nurture the whole family and support the child, planting seeds for the future.

Family Connects Oregon is based on the Family Connects International home visiting model and builds on Oregon’s current home visiting programs, expanding services to all families, regardless of income or background.  FCO will be available in select locations across the state, beginning in 2021, and will eventually be available to all Oregon families with newborns over time.  The home visiting service is voluntary.  However, all families are encouraged to participate.

Having a new baby affects families in many ways. The birth of a child is a big change for any family. It impacts a family’s social, emotional, financial and physical environment. Family Connects Oregon nurses are trained to answer questions and connect families with the support they need. 

The program provides between one and three nurse home visits to every family with a newborn beginning at about three weeks of age. Using a tested screening tool, the nurse measures newborn and maternal health and assesses strengths and needs to link the family to community resources.

Research shows that 95 percent of all families have needs after the birth of a child. These needs are unique to each family. The nurse home visitor works with families to identify what families need and want.  Family Connects Oregon bridges the gap between parents and community resources, which has been shown to improve family well-being.