Promising Practice

Welcome Family

State/Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Setting: Clinical Home
Population: Medical & Public Health Professionals Infant Women & Maternal
Topic Area: Access to Quality Healthcare Safe and Connected Communities Primary & Preventative Care Health Promotion & Communication
NPMs: NPM 1: Well-Woman Visit NPM 4: Breastfeeding NPM 5: Safe Sleep NPM 11: Medical Home

Welcome Family offers a universal one-time nurse home visit to all families with newborns, regardless of age, income, or prior birthing experience. The goal is to serve as an entry point into the system of care for families with newborns in Massachusetts. Welcome Family is available in five communities - Boston, Fall River, Lowell, Holyoke, and Springfield. The visit is offered up to 8 weeks postpartum. It is conducted by an experienced maternal and child health nurse and lasts approximately 90 minutes. During the visit, the nurse identifies family needs, provides support and education to address those needs, and refers to ongoing community services when appropriate (such as WIC, housing, or breastfeeding support). Families also receive a follow up call 2-3 weeks after the home visit.


Back to Database

Implementation Handout
MCH Journal - Lessons Learned


CONTACT INFORMATION
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Katie Stetler
katie.stetler@mass.gov
617-624-5969
Practice Website