February 14, 2025 2:50 a.m.

The United Community Action Network has begun a new nurse home visiting service, available to all Douglas County newborns.

A UCAN release said the non-profit is increasing its capacity to improve health outcomes for families with newborns by launching Family Connects Oregon. It is a free voluntary, evidence-based program which has no eligibility requirements.

Through Family Connects, UCAN nurses will identify what supports each family desires and provide an individualized pathway to connect with appropriate resources and services. Referrals may be made to established home visiting programs that have eligibility requirements.

Health and social supports available to people accessing UCAN’s Family Connects Program include connecting families to obstetricians and primary care providers, pediatricians, and family practice physicians, as well as mental health services, housing agencies and lactation and feeding support organizations.

The release said services are intended to improve outcomes in one or more of these areas: child health, child development and school readiness, family economic self-sufficiency, maternal health, positing parenting while reducing child mistreatment, juvenile delinquency, family violence and crime.

Family Connects Oregon does not replace any home visiting programs that already operate in Douglas County, nor any postpartum doctor visits. Instead, the program is designed to enhance current home visiting programs and will contribute to aligning a home visiting service system that connects families with services and supports of their choice.

UCAN Home Visiting Nurse Program Manager Elise Hansen talked about Family Connects on Inside Douglas County Thursday on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN. That interview is a KQEN Podcast at www.541radio.com