At United Way of Tucson, we believe families thrive when they are surrounded by strong, coordinated support. Through our Family Support Alliance, we work alongside trusted community partners to ensure families have access to the resources, guidance, and care they need during critical stages of life.

Funded by First Things First, the Family Support Alliance brings together evidence-based home visiting programs across Pima County to support parents, caregivers, and children from pregnancy through early childhood. The following stories highlight how Alliance partners are making a real difference for families, every day.

To protect the privacy of the families we serve, photos are representative and not of the actual families featured.

During a routine home visit, a pregnant Casa de los Niños (CDLN) Nurse-Family Partnership client shared concerns about the mental health of her adolescent child. The nurse home visitor also had concerns based on observations during visits, client report, and the child’s untreated trauma history.

The mother wanted to seek therapy for her child but faced major barriers. The family was uninsured, needed services in Spanish, and did not know where to go. What she did know was that her child needed help, and she was willing to do whatever she could to begin treatment.

Through the collaboration made possible by United Way of Tucson’s Family Support Alliance, the nurse home visitor quickly connected with CDLN Behavioral Health. The Behavioral Health team responded promptly and worked closely with the nurse and family to identify grant-funded services.

Today, the adolescent is actively receiving much-needed therapy services in Spanish at CDLN, at no cost to the family. This outcome reflects the strength of partnership and coordination within the Family Support Alliance, where families are not left to navigate challenges alone.

To protect the privacy of the families we serve, photos are representative and not of the actual families featured.

Another powerful example comes from a Sunnyside Parents as Teachers (PAT) family who enrolled in July 2024, just one month after welcoming their daughter. Both parents had recently graduated from high school and were facing the realities of young parenthood. Dad worked at Dairy Queen, and Mom had planned to attend college out of state, plans that felt impossible after learning she was pregnant.

Housing instability added to the stress. When Mom’s family asked her to move out, she moved in with Dad’s family so the three of them could share one bedroom. The couple believed their dreams of college graduation were over.

As a Family Support Alliance partner, PAT focused first on ensuring safety and meeting basic needs. The team helped get their car running, provided a safe car seat, and supplied diapers and developmentally appropriate toys. The home visitor also emphasized the importance of a strong support network. Dad’s family embraced them fully, and visits often included Dad and sometimes Grandma.

Over time, the home visitor supported conversations about mental health, healthy relationships, and balancing family time, couple time, and individual self-care. With strong family support and the flexibility of online classes, both parents made the decision to enroll in college.

Now 20 years old, they are parenting an 18-month-old daughter while working toward associate and bachelor’s degrees. They have repaired their relationship with Mom’s family and feel confident in their ability to provide for their child. Most importantly, they shared that they now have hope, which they credit to the guidance and encouragement they received through PAT home visits.

To protect the privacy of the families we serve, photos are representative and not of the actual families featured.

Family Support Alliance partners also play a critical role in keeping children physically safe. One recent success involves car seat safety through Early Beginnings First (EBF). With three-quarters of EBF nurse home visitors certified as car seat technicians, families receive expert guidance directly in their homes.

Nurse home visitors conduct car seat checks, correct installations, and educate caregivers on proper use. When a car seat is damaged, expired, or not appropriate for a child’s size, nurses connect families to community partners such as the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and TMC to obtain safe replacements.

These proactive efforts reduce risk, increase confidence for caregivers, and help ensure children are protected during everyday travel.

The Family Support Alliance, led by United Way of Tucson and funded by First Things First, is a coordinated network of home visiting programs that support families during pregnancy and early childhood. Alliance partners provide evidence-based services that promote child development, family stability, health, and safety, while reducing barriers to care through collaboration and shared referral pathways.

Together, these partnerships ensure families receive timely, culturally responsive support when it matters most.

Each of these stories reflects what is possible when families are supported by a connected system that puts their needs first. Through the Family Support Alliance, United Way of Tucson and our partners are helping families move from crisis to confidence, from uncertainty to opportunity.

By investing in families early and working together, we are strengthening our community, one family at a time.