Child First

Child First provides mental health intervention and support services through a proven home visiting model that builds and strengthens relationships between caregivers and their children. As a two-generation model, Child First partners with families to address the challenges, stressors and traumas they experience, create an environment to foster healthy child development, and connect with needed services and resources in their communities.

Child First is a comprehensive model that is fully integrated into the system of care of early childhood and young adult services in each region.

Who We Serve:

Child First partners with pregnant caregivers, infants and young children, from birth throughage five. The program works with families who have experienced trauma and other adversities (such as poverty, mental health challenges, housing insecurity, or abuse and neglect), or whose children are experiencing emotional, behavioral, learning or developmental challenges.

Intensive, relationship-based intervention in the home 

With regular home visits and services typically lasting a minimum of 6-12 months, Child First delivers tailored programming, mental health intervention, and connection to resources, centered on the family’s innate strengths and unique circumstances. Child First’s intensive early intervention, family-driven care, and comprehensive services help strengthen family stability, connection and long-term ability to thrive.

Two-generation approach for long-term impact 

When parents and caregivers have the resources and support they need to raise happy, healthy children, they are better equipped to break cycles of trauma, adversity and poor health. The Child First approach serves the needs of both generations together, strengthening caregiver-child relationships and building a foundation for a family’s long-term health and well-being.

Source: Changent