Family Connects
Family
Connects
Get the extra care and attention every family deserves after bringing a new baby home
The first few weeks with a baby can be an overwhelming time for any family. With a newborn to care for, a birthing parent recovering from childbirth, and partners and other family members adjusting to their new roles, a lot of questions can come up. Family Connects Chicago is here to help.
Family Connects Chicago is a free, in-home nurse visit available to families that live in Chicago and deliver babies at participating hospitals, including foster parents, adoptive parents and families who already have other children. The goal of the program is to make life a little easier for parents with new babies in every Chicago community—giving them the support they need to confidently care for their babies, themselves and their families.
GET THE FACTS
Download the latest data report to learn about how Family Connects is supporting our Chicago families:
Here's how it works:
WE GET IN TOUCH TO SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT
You do not have to do anything in advance to schedule your visit – a Family Connects Chicago team member will come see you during your hospital stay or call you after you get home to see if you would like an in-home visit, and find the best time for you and your family.
A NURSE COMES TO YOUR HOME
A nurse will come to your home to check on the baby, birthing parent, and the whole family. Prefer to have your visit outside of your home? You can do that too – your nurse will come wherever is best for you.
YOU GET SUPPORT WITH WHATEVER YOU NEED
Your visit is a safe space for you to get the care and support you need. Your nurse is there to provide care, answer your questions, and connect you to community resources that will ensure you and your family have everything you need to be happy and healthy.
Transcript: English
Here are some of the things your nurse can help you with:
Help for baby
- Baby weight check
- Safe sleep information
- Infant feeding and fussiness
- Help with bathing, diapering and swaddling
Help for birthing parent
- Health check for birthing parent
- Breastfeeding support
- Family planning advice
- Postpartum depression screening
Help for family
- Schedule doctor’s appointments
- Understanding childcare options
- Early literacy information
- Community resources and connections
DID YOU KNOW?
The Family Connects Chicago program is reaching more families across the city.
How Family Connects Chicago has helped real Chicago Families
Family Connects Chicago in the News
FAQ
- University of Chicago Medical Center
- Rush University Medical Center
- Mt. Sinai Hospital Chicago
- Humboldt Park Health
- Swedish Hospital
- St. Anthony Hospital
- Roseland Community Hospital
- John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
- Advocate Trinity Hospital
No, Family Connects is not just for first-time parents. You can schedule a Family Connects nurse visit whether this is your first baby or you have other children at home.
Family Connects is available to all families that live in Chicago and deliver at participating hospitals – regardless of what community you live in, how much money you make, or what your family looks like. We believe every family deserves extra care and attention during this time.
No, you do not need to be breastfeeding to schedule a visit.
No, the visit does not have to be at your house. If you would prefer your visit to be outside of your home, we can arrange that. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible.
No, your Family Connects Chicago home visit comes at no cost to you.
Your nurse is there to make your life easier and provide support for you, your baby, and your family. Your nurse is not there to judge you or report on personal information like documentation status, how many family members live in your home, the condition of your home, employment status or marital status.
No preparation necessary! If you have specific questions or need help with a specific issue, tell your nurse. Otherwise, all you need to do is be there with your baby, and whoever else in your family you would like at the visit. Don’t worry about cleaning your house or changing out of your comfy clothes.
The birthing parent, the baby, and anyone else in the family that you think might benefit from talking with a nurse, including partners and your other children.
If for any reason you give birth but do not come home with a baby, whether that’s because you chose adoption, surrogacy, or experienced the loss of your baby, you can still schedule a Family Connects visit. During that visit, a nurse can check on the birthing parent, partners, and other family members to ensure everyone is healthy and gets access to all of the resources they need.
For more information, please contact Family Connects Chicago at fcc@cityofchicago.org
Additional Reading
Feeding Infants
Learn about typical feeding routines and get tips for breastfeeding and using formula.
Infant Sleep Safety
Learn about how to keep your baby safe when they are sleeping.
Healthy Mom After Delivery
After giving birth, it's important for moms to take things slowly and look after their own health.