Bringing home a new baby is one of life’s most joyful milestones—and one of the most overwhelming. Around the country, nurses with the Family Connects program have had the privilege of meeting thousands of families during this incredibly special and vulnerable time. Whether it’s the first baby or the fourth, each family deserves support, reassurance and connection in those early weeks. That’s exactly what Family Connects offers—for free—to every family in Jefferson County.
The Family Connects program is built on a simple yet powerful idea: every parent should have access to trusted, professional care and guidance after welcoming a new baby home. In the first few days and weeks after birth, everything changes. Babies are learning how to live in the world, and parents are adjusting to sleepless nights, feeding routines, healing bodies and a flood of emotions. It’s a time of incredible transformation—and sometimes uncertainty.
That’s where we come in. Family Connects nurses visit families at home to check in on both baby and parents. We look at how feeding is going, how baby is sleeping and how everyone is adjusting emotionally and physically. We offer health assessments, information, reassurance and guidance—and when families need a little more help, we connect them to the right resources, whether that’s lactation support, behavioral health care, housing assistance or a parenting group in their neighborhood.
These visits aren’t complete clinical checkups, and they aren’t for emergencies. They’re judgment-free, supportive conversations that meet families exactly where they are. As nurses, we bring our training and experience, but what we really offer is a listening ear, trusted answers and encouragement.
One mom we visited had just returned home with her second baby, expecting things to go smoothly—but her newborn struggled to latch, leaving her anxious, exhausted and overwhelmed. She felt like she was failing. We listened to her concerns, weighed the baby before and after feeding and showed exactly how much her baby gained from the feeding. Seeing her baby gain weight reassured her she was doing great. We connected her to a local lactation group, and later she texted, “I finally feel like I can breathe again.”
That kind of relief—that sense of being seen and supported—is what Family Connects is all about.
We know that the first weeks after birth have a profound impact on a child’s development and a family’s wellbeing. When families are supported early, we see better outcomes for both parents and babies. Research shows that programs like Family Connects reduce emergency room visits, increase immunization rates and support stronger mental health for caregivers. And because this program is universal—available to every family in our county—it ensures no one falls through the cracks.
There’s no cost to families. There’s no income requirement. If you’ve just had a baby, are within the first 3-12 weeks after delivery and you live in Jeffco, you qualify. That’s what’s so special about this program: it’s for everyone. Whether you have a strong support system or you’re navigating parenthood on your own, whether everything is going smoothly or you’re feeling overwhelmed, Family Connects is here for you.
And the feedback from families is overwhelmingly positive. Parents tell us that our visits helped them feel more confident and less alone. They tell us we answered questions they didn’t even know they had. They tell us we made a difference.
To any parent out there who’s expecting a baby or recently brought one home: please reach out to Family Connects. You are not alone. Our nurses are caring, experienced and here to help. We’re not here to judge—we’re here to walk alongside you.
And to our broader community: thank you for supporting this work. Family Connects is an investment in the health and future of our families. It’s about making sure every baby gets the best possible start, and every parent has someone to lean on. As nurses, it’s an honor to be welcomed into a family’s home at such an intimate time in their lives. It’s a privilege we don’t take lightly. And every time we leave a visit knowing that a family feels just a little more confident, a little more supported and a little more hopeful—we know we’re doing something right.
To learn more about Family Connects or to schedule your free visit, please visit www.familyconnectscolorado.org.
Lucy Funk, BSN, RN, Jefferson County Public Health Family Connects
