Family connects maryland (FCM) is an evidence-based, universal, postpartum nurse home visiting program designed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, strengthen family functioning, and…

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded The Family Tree, Inc. $373,000 on August 31, 2026, under the Social Services Research and Demonstration program (CFDA 93.647) to support Family Connects Maryland, an evidence-based postpartum nurse home visiting program.

The project delivers voluntary postpartum nurse home visits to approximately 300 families annually whose infants are delivered at Sinai Hospital, serving Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Maryland. Registered nurses conduct comprehensive assessments during the first weeks after birth and provide education, support, and referrals to health, behavioral health, early childhood, economic, and family support services based on identified needs. Families may receive up to three home visits with follow-up contacts to ensure successful connections to recommended resources. Community alignment specialists enroll families, develop and maintain referral partnerships and resource databases, and conduct 30-day follow-up surveys. The program collects and analyzes implementation and outcome data to support quality monitoring and continuous improvement. Funding supports both the existing program and expansion into a new region.

Performance period runs from August 31, 2026, through August 30, 2027, with place of performance in Maryland.

Family connects maryland (FCM) is an evidence-based, universal, postpartum nurse home visiting program designed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, strengthen family functioning, and connect families with needed community resources. FCM is based on the nationally recognized family connects model, which has been designated as evidence-based by the U.S. Department of health and human services. The proposed project will provide voluntary postpartum nurse home visits to approximately 300 families annually whose infants are delivered at sinai hospital, serving residents of baltimore city and baltimore county, maryland. Registered nurses will conduct comprehensive assessments during the first weeks after birth. Based on identified needs, nurses will provide education, support, and referrals to appropriate health, behavioral health, early childhood, economic, and family support services. Families may receive up to three home visits, along with follow-up contacts to ensure successful connections to recommended resources. A follow up survey is conducted 30 days after the last home visit/case is closed. Community alignment specialists, which are integral to the program, enroll families in the program, develop and maintain referral partnerships and an up-to-date resource database and conduct 30-day participant follow up surveys. The program will collect and analyze implementation and outcome data to monitor quality, measure effectiveness, and support continuous improvement. Funding will support the existing family connects maryland program as well as expand service capacity to a new region, while ensuring that all families in the target population have access to high-quality postpartum support. Through these efforts, the project will promote healthier beginnings for children, stronger families, healthier communities and more effective systems of infant and maternal care.