Midland Kids First

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO RECOGNIZE THE STRENGTHS AND ASSETS OF MIDLAND COUNTY'S YOUTH IN ORDER TO PROVIDE VALUABLE INPUT AND PARTICIPATION BY ASSISTING IN IDENTIFYING NEEDS, CREATING SOLUTIONS AND VALIDATING EFFECTIVENESS, TO BUILD CAPACITY AT ALL LEVELS TO INTERVENE EARLY IN THE LIVES OF THOSE FAMILIES VIEWED AT RISK OF BECOMING INVOLVED IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM, TO MOBILIZE THE COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE VALUES AND NORMS THAT SUPPORT COMPASSION, RESPECT, REHABILITATION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY WHILE ENSURING COMMUNITY SAFETY, AND TO SUPPORT LEADERSHIP THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO THIS UNIFIED COMMITMENT THAT FOCUSES FIRST ON INTEGRATED COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS.

THE RECOVERING YOUTH FUTURES PROGRAM AIMS TO MAKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING AND TREATMENT AVAILABLE TO YOUTH WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE RECEIVE ADEQUATE TREATMENT AND TO RESULT IN AN OBJECTIVELY-VERIFIED POSITIVE IMPACT ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE BY SCHOOL-AGE YOUTH.

THE MIDLAND MENTORS PROGRAM SEEKS TO PROVIDE POSITIVE ROLE MODELS FOR YOUTH IN THE DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM AT THE MIDLAND COUNTY JUVENILE CARE CENTER THEREBY REDUCING THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THESE YOUTH WILL ENGAGE IN HIGH RISK BEHAVIORS.

ENHANCED YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM - MIDLAND KIDS FIRST COLLABORATES WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO HELP HIGH-NEED, HIGH-RISK AND EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED YOUTH STAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES THEREBY DIVERTING THEM FROM ENTRY INTO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

PROBATE COURT FUND WAS ESTABLISHED TO RECEIVE AND DISBURSE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE INTENDED TO BENEFIT AT-RISK YOUTH WHO HAVE BECOME COURT WARDS. THE JUDGE OF THE 42ND CIRCUIT COURT'S FAMILY DIVISION (HON. DORENE S. ALLEN) HAS DESIGNATED MIDLAND KIDS FIRST AS THE FIDUCIARY FOR THESE FUNDS. MIDLAND KIDS FIRST SEEKS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES TO HELP STRENGTHEN A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY. WRAPAROUND SERVICES PROGRAM TO PURCHASE THE SERVICES AND SUPPLIES FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES AND CHILDREN WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS OR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER WHO ARE AT RISK OF BEING REMOVED FROM THE FAMILY HOME, AT RISK OF AN OUT-OF-COMMUNITY PLACEMENT, REUNIFYING FROM A STRUCTURED PLACEMENT, AND/OR HAS OTHER RISK FACTORS THAT EXCEED THE CAPACITY FOR TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY-BASED OPTIONS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILY TREATMENT. STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOCUSED ON SERVING TROUBLED OR DISADVANTAGED YOUTH BY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE IN PREVIOUSLY DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES. CHILD MALTREATMENT PREVENTION - PROGRAM USING EVIDENCE BASED METHODS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MEDICAL PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS FACING MANY FAMILIES SUCH AS PARENTAL DEPRESSION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MAJOR STRESS, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, HARSH PUNISHMENT, AND FOOD INSECURITY. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD MALTREATMENT. SUMMER ACTIVITIES PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN IN THE MIDLAND JUVENILE CARE DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM TO PRACTICE SKILLS THEY HAVE LEARNED THROUGH PROGRAMMING AND THERAPY. EXPERIENCES PROVIDE EXPOSURE TO POSITIVE PEERS, FUTURE CAREERS, AND STRUCTURED USE OF FREE TIME.