Now through Midnight on May 13, 2024, the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, Inc. is accepting applications from contractors who can provide professional services to support the Family Connects, NC Southeastern Region (FCNCSE) newborn support program. The program follows the Family Connects International model. This is part of a multi-year contract beginning on July 1, 2024 and will not exceed three (3) years. Contracts for subsequent fiscal years will be executed ONLY after a satisfactory evaluation of performance and availability of funds is confirmed. 

Family Connects is an evidence-based model designed to support whole-person, integrated health for all families of newborns at a moment of life-changing transition. Family Connects trained RNs carefully assess newborns and mothers and discuss concrete next steps to address opportunities and concerns, including seeking immediate medical care when necessary. Family Connects trained RNs also keep the whole family in mind, recommending appropriate mental health services or medical care for other family members as needed. A key component of this program is the post-visit connection call to follow up and ensure families' needs are met.

This program aims to support families with a population-based approach by creating an integrated service that combines the Family Connects International (FCI) universal home visiting model with the community assets and local services coordinated by PFC.

PFC will manage and oversee the program in Cumberland and, if applicable, surrounding counties, including engaging in systems-building work, applying the FCI Model, collaborating with area hospitals and birthing centers, and determining a qualified nursing agency to conduct the program.

PFC seeks applications from any qualified nursing agency or organization with the ability to provide and support the following requirements:

•        Participate in all required Family Connects International Academy and other program-related training activities.
•        Utilize data submission requirements outlined by Family Connects International and the PFC.
•        Work with PFC to schedule home visits for newborn nurses.
•        Bill all medical insurers covering a newborn home visit.
•        Employ or contract with nurses and nurse supervisors to complete the home visits.
•        Be able to work with PFC to meet the requirements for a Community Advisory Committee. The purpose of the committee is to:

o   Align resources relevant to families

o   Disseminate information from Family Connects to community stakeholders

o   Find solutions to address community need

o   Listen to feedback or updates from the community stakeholders

•        The contractor must be able to provide services for IHVs or M-IHVs at the FY24/25 reimbursable rate of $475.00 per enrollee, and is payable only when the enrollee's case is completed and closed.
•        The contractor must serve a minimum of 1,400 enrollees per year and a cap of 1,600 per year (based on current funding). The cap may increase based on funding.
•        The contractor must provide complete documentation of monthly invoices before reimbursement.
•        The contractor must work towards full model fidelity for the service delivery area*, which includes:

o   Population Reach – reach and maintain a minimum of 60% of the eligible population must complete an Integrated Home Visit (IHV) or Modified Integrated Home Visit (M-IHV)

o   Completion Rate – reach and maintain a minimum of 60% of scheduled visits must have completed IHV or M-IHV

o   Referral Connection Rate – reach and maintain a minimum of 50% of all nurse referrals related to a support score of 3 or higher, resulting in a successful connection.

o   Average Age of Infant – at least 70% of infants are 14-34 days old at the time of the integrated home visit. IHV or M-IHV occurs approximately three weeks after birth or after the infant comes home to the family (if hospitalized longer)

•        The contractor must participate in any evaluation activities.

*The service delivery area includes at least 3,000 eligible births per year in the current catchment area for families who deliver at Cape Fear Valley Health System and reside in Cumberland, Robeson, or Hoke counties. The catchment area may increase or decrease based on funding. The initial targeted area for FY24/25 is families residing in Cumberland County.

Medical Director (MD/DO, CNM, PA-C, FNP/NP/PNP): Provide oversight, development, and endorsement of clinical site guidelines for both the infant and caregivers. Provide clinical support for nursing staff/nursing supervisor as patient care questions arise. The Medical Director must be an MD, FNP, PA-C, or CNM.

Nurse Supervisor* (RN): Provide clinical supervision and perform quarterly quality assurance tasks per the Family Connects International model requirements.

Nurse Home Visitor* (RN): Provide in-home or telehealth visits according to standardized visit protocol, assessment of risk, and connection to community resources for identified needs; document clinical services provided. As needed, support non-clinical staff with recruiting families and other outreach activities as approved by Nurse Supervisor(s).

 * Nursing staff must complete the training module of the FCI universal newborn home visiting model. This training costs $5,000 for up to 6 people and is offered virtually and in person at their offices in Durham.

The Nurse Newborn Visits will include the following components:

FOR BABY

• Baby weight check
• Safe sleep information
• Infant feeding and fussiness
• Help with bathing, diapering, and swaddling

FOR BIRTHING PARENT

• Health check for the birthing parent
• Breastfeeding support
• Family planning advice
• Postpartum depression screening

FOR FAMILY

• Schedule doctor's appointments
• Understanding childcare options
• Early literacy information
• Community resources and connections

Applicants must reply to the following questions in a narrative.