Effect of a Universal Postpartum Nurse Home Visiting Program on Child Maltreatment and Emergency Medical Care at 5 Years of Age

Abstract

Key Points Question What is the association of the Family Connects (FC) program, a universal newborn nurse home visiting program, with child maltreatment investigations and child emergency medical care use between birth and 5 years of age? Findings In this randomized clinical trial, analyses of administrative records indicated that families assigned to FC had 39% fewer Child Protective Services investigations for suspected child abuse and neglect. Families assigned to FC also had a 33% decrease in total child emergency medical care use. Meaning These findings indicate that, when implemented with high quality and broad reach, the FC program can have positive long-term benefits for population rates of child well-being.