Families with newborn children who were assigned a primary care family specialist had improved attendance to care visits, completion of recommended immunizations, and access to support services.

Background

Families with newborn children may experience economic and social challenges that impact the health care that their child receives. Project Developmental Understanding and Legal Collaboration for Everyone (DULCE) aims to improve newborn and family care through connections with family specialists, a role similar to a community health worker (CHW), who support primary care and home visits. This study measured differences in primary care visits completed, immunizations administered, emergency department visits, and connections to social services between families that were assigned a family specialist and families not participating in the program.

Findings

Participating families were randomly assigned to a family specialist through Project DULCE or received standard care. Family assessment results and health records were used to determine differences between the two groups. Families with a DULCE family specialist completed more recommended primary care visits and immunizations and had fewer emergency department visits compared to families without a specialist. Project DULCE families also reported quicker access to health-related support services, like utility assistance.

Policy/Program Takeaways

Family specialists and related professionals, such as CHWs, can improve preventive and primary care for families experiencing health-related social needs. This website shares intervention resources and summarizes other outcomes reported by families participating in Project DULCE.