Families First Inc

FOR ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO BE RESILIENT, MOVING FROM SURVIVAL TO STABILITY TO SUCCESS.

FAMILIES FIRST'S CHILD AND YOUTH PERMANENCY PROGRAMS PROVIDE SERVICES IN ADOPTION, FOSTER CARE, REUNIFICATION, COOPERATIVES (GROUP HOMES), AND INDEPENDENT LIVING (ILP). FAMILIES FIRST'S ADOPTION SERVICE TEAM RESPONDED TO THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 AND CONTINUED TO PROVIDE WORLD-CLASS SERVICES INCLUDING 20 FINALIZED ADOPTIONS THROUGH DOMESTIC, INTERNATIONAL, AND INFANT PLACEMENTS SERVICES. IN TOTAL, 13,228 CLIENTS WERE REACHED WITH CHILD & YOUTH PERMANENCY SERVICES IN FISCAL YEAR 2020. ADDITIONAL ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE RELATED PROGRAMS PROVIDED INCLUDE: 1) THE GEORGIA CENTER FOR RESOURCES AND SUPPORT: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT NETWORK OF POST-PLACEMENT SERVICES TO STRENGTHEN GEORGIA'S ADOPTIVE/FOSTER FAMILIES. 2) THE GEORGIA REUNION REGISTRY: THE REGISTRY FACILITATES SEARCH AND REUNION AS WELL AS HELPS FAMILIES GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR FAMILY FOR FAMILIES SEPARATED BY ADOPTION. 3) "IMPACT" HUB: IMPACT CLASSES ARE PRE-SERVICE CLASSES FOR POTENTIAL FOSTER FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. MONTHLY CLASSES WERE HELD IN SPITE OF THE COVID-19 LIMITATIONS. 4) SPECIAL NEEDS ADOPTION: WE ASSESS AND MATCH PERMANENT FAMILIES TO BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGED YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ADOPTION. THIS PROGRAM SERVES YOUTH AGED 13 AND OLDER AND SIBLING GROUPS OF 3 OR MORE FROM WITHIN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. 5) THE SECOND CHANCE HOME: THIS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM SERVES PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEENS WHO ARE HOMELESS OR IN FOSTER CARE. 100% OF YOUNG MOTHERS INCREASED THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH, AGE-APPROPRIATE CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND 100% OF BABIES REACHED AGE-APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES. ADDITIONALLY, 100% OF ELIGIBLE MOTHERS WHO 'GRADUATED' FROM THE PROGRAM HAVE OBTAINED AND ARE MAINTAINING THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT HOUSING.

NAVIGATOR & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THE NAVIGATOR MODEL: NAVIGATOR IS AN EARLY FAMILY INTERVENTION PROGRAM OF INTENSIVE CLIENT CARE SERVICES THAT RESPONDS TO THE NEEDS OF COMPLEX FAMILIES BY CONNECTING AND CONVENING THEM TO ALL AVAILABLE FAMILIES FIRST AND COMMUNITY-BASED RESOURCES, COUPLED WITH BUILDING RESILIENCY AND INTENSIVE FOLLOW UP VIA AFTERCARE SERVICES TO ENSURE LONG-TERM SUCCESS. THE NAVIGATOR MODEL LAUNCHED IN THE WINTER OF 2021 AND IN ITS FIRST SIX MONTHS AND IS IN USE SERVING CLIENTS REFERRED TO FAMILIES FIRST VIA A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND IS ALSO BEING USED IN EXISTING PROGRAMS INCLUDING OUR HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM, SHELTER-A-FAMILY AND OUR TWO-GEN EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM, CHISPA. 95% OF THE CLIENTS SERVED WITH THE NAVIGATOR MODEL SHOWED PROGRESS TOWARD THEIR TREATMENT GOALS AND 70% SHOWED MEASURABLE GAINS IN THE RESILIENCY WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF CARE THAT CAN LAST FROM 6 MONTHS - FIVE YEARS BASED ON THE CLIENTS NEED. -SHELTER-A-FAMILY: PROVIDES PERMANENT HOUSING IN CONNECTION WITH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO HOMELESS FAMILIES WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS AND/OR SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND/OR BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES. 92% OF CLIENTS THAT TRANSITIONED FROM AN EMERGENCY SHELTER TO SAF (PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING) REMAINED STABLY HOUSED REACHED 172 INDIVIDUALS ACROSS 42 FAMILIES IN 2020. -CHISPA: PROVIDES TWO-GEN EARLY LEARNING SERVICES TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN BY SUPPORTING AND ENGAGING PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS IN EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS INCLUDING A LEARNING SPACE. THE PROGRAM USES THE EVIDENCE-BASED PARENTS AS TEACHERS CURRICULUM AND CONTINUED TO ACHIEVE 100% ON THEIR ANNUAL EVALUATION ACHIEVING ALL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM. 90% OF PARENTS SERVED INCREASED THEIR POSITIVE PARENTING SKILLS AND POSITIVE PARENTING INTERACTIONS. 92.5% OF PARENTS INCREASED THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTHY, AGE-APPROPRIATE CHILD DEVELOPMENT. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES: BETWEEN THE RECENT SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC UNREST, COVID-19, OUR LONG PERIODS OF SOCIAL ISOLATION, JOB LOSSES, TRAUMA AND OTHER CHALLENGES, MANY PEOPLE NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO FOR HELP NAVIGATING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. IN RESPONSE, FAMILIES FIRST HAS EXPANDED ITS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT WITH CLINICIANS AVAILABLE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, VIA SECURE VIDEO OR TELEPHONE, TO OFFER INDIVIDUALS SUPPORT WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST. FAMILIES FIRST ACCEPTS MOST INSURANCE AND OFFERS A SLIDING SCALE PAYMENT OPTIONS TO THOSE WHO NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WE SERVE INDIVIDUALS HOLISTICALLY AND FAMILY-CENTERED BECAUSE TRAUMA IS EXPANSIVE. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SURVIVING AND THRIVING IS DEPENDENT ON OUR ABILITY TO BUILD RESILIENCY. FAMILIES FIRST UTILIZES EVIDENCE-BASED TOOLS TO HELP PEOPLE SET GOALS FOR THRIVING, CELEBRATE THEIR PROGRESS IN THEIR JOURNEY OF RECOVERY AND SET EMOTIONAL SAFEGUARDS FOR THE LONG TERM. HOLISTIC FAMILY-CENTERED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL THERAPY, FAMILY THERAPY, COUPLES THERAPY, AND GROUP THERAPY.

PARENTING PLUS: AT FAMILIES FIRST WE BELIEVE THAT PARENTING MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY PARENTING THAT IS POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE, AND ENCOURAGING. WE OFFER SEVERAL CLASSES AND TRAININGS THAT FIT ANY FAMILY SITUATION FOR PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN AND SERVED OVER 1,100 PARENTS IN 2020. PARENTING CLASSES IN 2020, 777 PARENTS & GUARDIANS OF CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS RECEIVED TRAINING. FAMILIES FIRST USES THE ACTIVE PARENTING CURRICULUM FOR CHILDREN TO TEACH EFFECTIVE WAYS TO OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION, ENCOURAGE SCHOOL SUCCESS, TEACH RESPONSIBILITY AND COURAGE, AND STIMULATE INDEPENDENCE AS YOUR CHILD GROWS OLDER. THE ACTIVE PARENTING CURRICULUM FOR TEENS TEACHES SKILLS FOR CLEAR AND HONEST COMMUNICATION, METHODS OF RESPECTFUL DISCIPLINE, HOW TO BE AN ENCOURAGING PARENT, AND OTHER ISSUES LIKE ONLINE ACTIVITY, BULLYING, AND DEPRESSION. NEW IN 2020 IS A COLLABORATION WITH THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER ATLANTA COLLABORATION PROVIDING YOUNG, INCARCERATED FATHERS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE BY HELPING THEM BE PREPARED FOR A FRESH START WITH THEIR CHILDREN, AS WELL WITHIN THEIR JOBS AND COMMUNITIES. THE COLLABORATION IS OPENING THE DOOR FOR THESE FATHERS TO BUILD RESILIENCE AND LEAD SUCCESSFUL LIVES AFTER PRISON. THE FAMILIES FIRST PARTNERSHIP WITH THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER ATLANTA WHICH BEGAN IN FEBRUARY 2020, ASSISTS YOUNG FATHERS TRANSITIONING FROM LOW OFFENSE PRISON SENTENCES AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY. CURRENTLY THE PROGRAM OPERATES IN THE DOUGLAS COUNTY DETENTION CENTER, FULTON COUNTY JAIL, AND COBB COUNTY DETENTION CENTER, AND WITH THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM THE HENRY AND DEKALB COUNTY JAILS ARE PRISON SYSTEMS THAT WILL BEGIN RECEIVING SERVICE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE FAMILIES FIRST TEAM WORKS WITH THE FATHERS TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY LINKAGE TO VOCATIONAL SERVICES, PARENTING TIME SERVICES INCLUDING ACCESS AND VISITATION, LEGAL RESOURCES SUCH AS THE ATLANTA LEGAL AID SOCIETY, AND INTERNAL REFERRALS FOR FAMILIES FIRST'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT. RESOURCES FROM THE URBAN LEAGUE ALSO EXTEND TO VOCATIONAL SERVICES, JOB READINESS PROGRAMS AND HOUSING REFERRALS. WITH THE MANY ROADBLOCKS AND HURDLES IN TRYING TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN, THE FATHERS TRYING TO REACH SEE THE POSSIBILITY OF RECONNECTING WITH THEM EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS. THE FATHERS ACHIEVE THIS FEELING BY BEING ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND BE HEARD BY THE CASEWORKERS, AS OFTEN MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OR AGENCIES HAVE PREVIOUSLY DISMISSED THEIR ATTEMPTS TO CONNECT WITH THEIR CHILDREN. TWENTY YOUNG FATHERS HAVE COMPLETED THE PARENTING COURSEWORK SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE PROGRAM IN FEBRUARY 2020. WITH THE COURSEWORK AND SERVICES BRIEFLY PAUSING DUE TO COVID-19, THE PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO REACH AN ADDITIONAL 50 YOUNG FATHERS BY THE END OF 2021. ACCESS & VISITATION FAMILIES FIRST PROVIDES SEMINARS AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO ASSIST CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THEIR CHILD OR CHILDREN. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE ACCESS AND VISITATION WITH THEIR CHILDREN. IN ADDITION TO VISITATION, PARENTING TIME PROVIDES MEDIATION SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS. ACCESS AND VISITATION PROVIDES EDUCATION AND RESOURCES ON GEORGIA ACCESS AND VISITATION LAWS AND TO INCREASE PARENTING TIME WITH BOTH PARENTS INCLUDING MONITORING SUPERVISED VISITS. 332 FATHERS RECEIVED SUPPORT THAT HELPED TO INCREASE THEIR PARENTING TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND 723 INDIVIDUAL PARENTING AND ACCESS COUNSELING SESSIONS WERE DELIVERED, ALL WITH COVID-19 PROTOCOLS IN PLACE. TRANSPARENTING AND THE CO-PARENTING EXPERIENCE INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS DESIGNED TO TEACH EFFECTIVE PARENTING DURING THE TRANSITIONS OF DIVORCE AND PARENTAL SEPARATION. THE SEMINAR ADDRESSES THE DEVELOPMENTAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND EMPHASIZES EACH PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A NURTURING AND NON-THREATENING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILD. TO PROVIDE PARENT EDUCATION VIA SELLING FAMILIES FIRST'S CURRICULUM (BOOK ORDERS) AND FEE FOR SERVICE ON-SITE AND ON-LINE SEMINARS. THESE SERVICES ARE DELIVERED NATIONALLY THROUGHOUT 37 STATES, ONE CANADIAN PROVINCE, AS WELL AS LOCALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH COURT SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE METRO- ATLANTA AREA. ROLLERCOASTERS MOST CHILDREN OF SEPARATING AND DIVORCING FAMILIES EXPERIENCE ISOLATION, FEAR, AND LOSS. THROUGH GROUP DISCUSSION, STRUCTURED EXERCISES AND THERAPEUTIC GAMES, ROLLERCOASTERS HELPS CHILDREN, AGES 5-17 TO VERBALIZE THEIR FEELINGS AND LEARN COPING SKILLS.