F I R S T

FIRST PROVIDES PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH PROGRAMS AND ADVOCACY TO SUPPORT AND FOSTER HEALTHY, INCLUSIVE AND SELF-DETERMINED LIVES.

EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES: THROUGH THE CHILDREN DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY (CDSA), FIRST BILLS MEDICAID FOR COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (CBRS) PROVIDED BY CONTRACT EMPLOYEES WITH EXPERTISE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AUTISM AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN AGE BIRTH TO THREE YEARS. SIXTEEN FAMILIES WERE SERVED DURING THE YEAR. THE SUNSHINE PROJECT: A PRESCHOOL INCLUSION PROGRAM, FUNDED THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH BUNCOMBE PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN SINCE 2006 TO PROVIDE SUCCESSFUL INTERVENTIONS TO CHILDCARE CENTER STAFF AND PARENTS USING EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES. WITH THE SUNSHINE PROJECT, FIRST SUPPORTED 61 CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS AND SERVED 50 EARLY CHILDCARE CERNTER CLASSROOMS.

PLAY PROJECT-AUTISM INTERVENTION: COACHES PARENTS TO PROVIDE THE RECOMMENDED 25 HOURS PER WEEK OF INTENSIVE INTERVENTIONS TO THEIR YOUNG CHILD WITH ASD OR AUTISTIC LIKE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. THIS IS RESEARCH BASED INTERVENTION WITH SUCCESS FOR MANY FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN IN OUR AREA. THIS PARENT-MEDIATED MODEL WORKS MONTHLY OVER 10 MONTHS TO COACH THE PARENTS TO WORK WITH THEIR CHILD THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES CREATED BY DR. SOLOMON. FIRST HAS WORKED WITH OVER 50 FAMILIES SINCE STARTING IN 2009 AND SERVED EIGHT FAMILIES DURING THE CURRENT YEAR. COMMUNITY PARENT RESOURCE CENTER (CPRC): FUNDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROJECTS TO TRAIN AND EDUCATE PARENTS ABOUT THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS AND ACCESSING COMMUNITY SUPPORTS. FIRST HAS HAD FUNDING MOST YEARS SINCE 2003 TO FOCUS ON RURAL, INTERCITY, AND SPANISH SPEAKING FAMILIES. AGES BIRTH TO 26 YEARS. DURING THE YEAR FIRST SERVED 332 FAMILIES, ATTENDED 71 TEAM MEETINGS, AND HELD TWO TRAININGS.

THE INCREDIBLE YEARS BASIC PARENTING CLASS: WITH FUNDING FROM BUNCOMBE PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN AND NC CHILDRENS TRUST FUND AND PARTNERING WITH LOCAL CHURCHES OR AGENCIES FOR LOCATION AND CHILDCARE, THIS PROGRAM IS OPEN TO FAMILIES THAT WANT SUPPORT TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR THEIR CHILDREN WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS IN BUNCOMBE AND MADISON COUNTIES. AGES 3 TO 12 YEARS. CIRCLES OF PARENTS: IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED PARENT SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING THAT MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS, WITH FUNDING FROM NC CHILDRENS TRUST FUND. FIRST CURRENTLY HAS SIX GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY - THREE CIRCLE OF PARENTS, TWO INCREDIBLE YEARS GROUPS, AND ONE CIRCLE OF SECURITY. COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR AND SELF DIRECTION TRAINING FOR IFDS/EOR. THIS SERVICE PROMOTES SELF-DETERMINATION, AND SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS IN MAKING LIFE CHOICES, PROVIDES ADVOCACY AND IDENTIFIES OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME A PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR SERVICES ALSO EMPHASIZES, PROMOTES AND COORDINATES THE USE OF GENERIC RESOURCES TO ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS IN ADDITION TO PAID SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS ALL AGES AND 66 TEAMS WERE SUPPORTED DURING THE YEAR. OUTPATIENT THERAPY - LICENSED CLINICIAN SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES INCLUDING INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL RECEIVED SUPPORT DURING WEEKLY, FAMILY AND OTHER TYPES OF THERAPY SESSIONS. NATURAL SUPPORTS EDUCATION AND SPECIALIZED CONSULTATIVE SERVICE: IN AREAS OF BEHAVIOR, TRAUMA, SPEECH THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY, NUTRITION, RECREATION AND OTHER AS NEEDED. SHORT TERM AND TARGETED SERVICES TO IMPROVE THOSE TO LIVE MORE SUCCESSFULLY IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR TEAM CAN UTILIZE THE TEAM APPROACH BRINGING MORE EXPERTS TO THE TABLE. AGES 3 TO ADULT. MY FIRST KEY - SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES: SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN THEIR OWN LIFE, IN A HOME THEY CHOSE WITH ACTIVITIES THEY CHOSE. A TEAM OF DIRECT SUPPORT COACHES FULFILL THIS MISSION BY FACILITATING QUALITY SERVICES THROUGH THEIR COLLECTIVE TALENTS SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY. FIRST'S PROGRAM FOCUSES ON MOVING INDIVIDUALS FROM INSTITUTION SETTING AND FAMILY HOMES INTO THEIR OWN HOME. AGES 22 AND UP.