First Step Family Support Center

PROMOTING THE HEALTY DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ON THE NORTH OLYMPIC PENINSULA BY BUILDING FAMILY STRENGTHS

PARENTS AS TEACHERS PROGRAM EXPENSES (PAT): THE PARENTS AS TEACHERS' MODEL IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENSURE YOUNG CHILDREN ARE HEALTHY, DEVELOPMENTALLY ON TARGET, SAFE AND READY TO LEARN. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF TWICE A MONTH HOME VISITS, GROUP CONNECTIONS MEETINGS, CHILD SCREENINGS, FAMILY ASSESSMENTS, GOAL SETTING AND REFERRALS TO NEEDED RESOURCES. THESE COMPONENTS CREATE A COHESIVE PACKAGE OF SERVICES WITH FIVE PRIMARY GOALS: 1) TO INCREASE PARENT KNOWLEDGE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE PARENTING PRACTICES, 2) TO INCREASE EARLY DETECTION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND HEALTH ISSUES AND GET CHILDREN THE NEEDED SERVICES TO GET AND KEEP THEM DEVELOPMENTALLY ON TARGET, 3) TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, 4) TO INCREASE CHILDREN'S SCHOOL READINESS AND SCHOOL SUCCESS, AND 5) TO PROVIDE PARENT AND CHILD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE PAT CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY AND BUILD ON FAMILY STRENGTHS AND TO BUILD THESE PROTECTIVE FACTORS IN THE FAMILIES' LIVES. VISITS IN THE HOME ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE MODEL. OUR TARGET POPULATION IS: AT-RISK, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN 0-5 WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON SERVING TEEN PARENTS, FIRST TIME PARENTS, NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING FAMILIES AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HEALTH/MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. FIRST STEP RECEIVED THE "BLUE RIBBON" STATUS BY PAT NATIONAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN OUR WORK. WE SERVE 121 FAMILIES A MONTH IN PAT.

PARENT CHILD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM EXPENSES (PCAP): PRENATAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG EXPOSURE PUTS CHILDREN AT RISK AS A RESULT OF PRENATAL EXPOSURE AND BECAUSE OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF A COMPROMISED HOME ENVIRONMENT. WE HELP MOTHERS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT, ALCOHOL/DRUG FREE LIVES AND WORK TOWARDS PREVENTING FUTURE BIRTHS OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG EXPOSED CHILDREN. WELL TRAINED AND WELL SUPERVISED CASE MANAGERS PROVIDE ADVOCACY AND INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THESE FAMILIES FOR THREE YEARS. CASE MANAGERS PROVIDE EXTENSIVE PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE SUCH AS HELPING TO FIND HOUSING, TREATMENT SERVICES AND LEGAL SERVICES. THEY ALSO PROVIDE LONG TERM EMOTIONAL SUPPORT WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT TO WOMEN WHO ARE MAKING FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES. WE SERVE UP TO 91 WOMEN EACH MONTH THROUGH THE PCAP PROGRAM. PCAP CLIENT EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: A) CLIENT COMPLETION OF TREATMENT PROGRAMS, B) ABSTINENCE FROM ALCOHOL/DRUGS FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS DURING THE PROGRAM, C) REGULAR USE OF FAMILY PLANNING METHODS, D) CHILDREN LIVING WITH THEIR OWN FAMILIES (AVOIDANCE OF OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT) AND E) SECUREMENT OF PERMANENT, STABLE HOUSING.

ALL OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES: FIRST STEP DELIVERS A VAST ARRAY OF INNOVATIVE AND FAMILY-CENTERED PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE THREE PROGRAMS FIRST STEP MAINTAINS A MATERNITY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM, INFANT CASE MANAGEMENT, DROP IN CENTERS, KINDERGARTEN READINESS CAMP, KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN GROUPS, PERINATAL AND INFANT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUPS AND EDUCATION, PARENTING CLASSES, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES. IN 2021 BOTH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR WERE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE WCFC (WASHINGTON COMMUNITIES FOR CHILDREN) PENINSULAS EARLY CHILDHOOD COALITION, WHOSE PURPOSE IS "CONNECTING LOCAL AND STATEWIDE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE WELLBEING OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES". ADDITIONALLY FIRST STEP CHAIRS THE PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE WHICH SEEKS TO BUILD COMMUNITY CAPACITY FOR PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH COLLABORATION AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FOR PROFESSIONALS SERVING PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM FAMILIES. FIRST STEP STAFF MAKES REFERRALS TO NEEDED RESOURCES AND SERVICES FOR OUR CLIENTS, WHETHER THESE RESOURCES AND SERVICES ARE OFFERED BY FIRST STEP OR OTHER AGENCIES AND PROVIDERS.