Families First Center

Families First Center

Individual and Family Services

South Bend, Indiana 154 followers

Promoting safe connections and positive parenting!

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About us

Families First Center, formerly known as F.I.R.E. (“Families Involved in Rehabilitative Environments”) was started in 1972 by concerned St. Joseph County citizens. The goal was to establish family environments as a method of rehabilitating problem youth. Later in the 1970s, F.I.R.E. acquired and maintained another home that served as a shelter to promote the innovative approach of a “family environment” to the problem of runaway youth. Today, the runaway shelter exists as the “Safe Station” and is run by the Youth Services Bureau. Now, to meet the supervised visitation needs of children who, through no fault of their own, have been put into situations where supervised visitation is required, the F.I.R.E. Home (now Families First Center) was established in February 1992. In 2001, Families First Center extended their services to include Parent Education, which is the provision of structured, parenting skill development experiences. Education regarding parenting, discipline, and child development is a means to provide parents with at-risk children with tools to discipline, understand, and build connection with their children. FFC provides a combination of individual and group parent education since it is the most effective approach when building skills that emphasize social connections and parents’ ability to access social supports. FFC most recent service offering is that of home based case management. This supportive service helps caregivers to reach their goals and establish and maintain safe and stable home environments.

Website
http://familiesfirstcenter.org
Industry
Individual and Family Services
Company size
11-50 employees
Headquarters
South Bend, Indiana
Type
Nonprofit
Founded
1972
Specialties
Supervised Visitation, Parenting Education, and Homebased Case Management

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Updates

  • View organization page for Families First Center, graphic
    Families First Center

    154 followers

    💖 Success Story Spotlight: Consistency is Crucial💖 Jessica embarked on a challenging yet hopeful journey with Families First Center. As a new mother, Jessica faced substance abuse issues and struggled with parenting skills and confidence. Despite the odds, she was determined to become the best parent she could be for her newborn. Initially, Alex, the child's father, joined Jessica for visits. However, their path took a difficult turn when Alex was incarcerated shortly after. Undeterred, Jessica continued attending visits on her own, showing incredible resilience and commitment to her child's well-being. During these visits, the staff at Families First Center observed areas where Jessica could benefit from additional support. To help her build essential parenting skills, our team recommended in-session parent education, which was promptly approved by DCS. With each session, Jessica grew more confident and capable, steadily improving her ability to care for her child. Meanwhile, Alex, after his release into a work-release program, rejoined the family visits. Both parents demonstrated unwavering dedication, attending every session without cancellations. Together, they learned and applied new skills, with the guidance of our visitation supervisor and parent educator. Jessica and Alex's commitment to their child's future shines through their continuous effort to grow and improve. With the support of Families First Center, they are not only addressing past challenges but also laying a strong foundation for their family's future. This heartwarming journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, support, and love. Join us in celebrating Jessica and Alex's remarkable progress as they work towards a brighter, united future for their child. 🌈 **Names have been changed to protect the identity of the family #NewBeginnings #ParentingSkills #Resilience #SuccessStory #FamiliesFirstCenter#ParentingSupport #ConsistencyMatters #FamiliesFirst

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  • View organization page for Families First Center, graphic
    Families First Center

    154 followers

    World Mental Health Day: Tips for talking to your child about mental health. Talking with your child about emotional topics, such as their mental health, can feel uncomfortable. This can be due to the stigma involved, lack of information or even fears of possible blame. However, openly talking to your children is a great way to help decrease this stigma. It can be tough to know how to start the conversation Checkout what the National Alliance on Mental Illness has to say for starting the conversation: https://lnkd.in/gJcHbFrU

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  • View organization page for Families First Center, graphic
    Families First Center

    154 followers

    Parenting is tough, and one of the most common question we see parents wonder about is when can I feed my baby different foods and how can I feed them the new food safely?? We recommend parents check out Solid Starts! Solid Starts has both a website and app that gives practical advice for when and how to feed your child different foods depending on their age. Visit: https://lnkd.in/gizQBbYy #SolidStarts #FoodSafety #FamiliesFirst #Parenting

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  • View organization page for Families First Center, graphic
    Families First Center

    154 followers

    💪 Success Story Spotlight: Incarceration to Reunification 💪 Emily and Tom faced a heartbreaking challenge. Their two young daughters, Sophia and Emma, were placed in foster care due to their parents' struggles with drug use and unsafe living conditions. At just 8 and 9 years old, Sophia and Emma had to leave their home behind, seeking stability elsewhere. The journey wasn't easy. Emily and Tom initially struggled to overcome their addiction, and progress seemed slow. However, after an arrest, Emily decided it was time for a change. She entered an inpatient treatment facility. With unwavering support from the their team at Families First Center, both parents started to turn their lives around. They attended regular supervised visits, showing genuine interest in their daughters' well-being and school activities. As time went on, Emily and Tom's transformation became evident. They not only complied with court orders but were also visibly committed to a better life. The girls, now living with a relative, thrived in their new environment. Meanwhile, Emily and Tom moved into recovery homes, fully engaged in the process of rebuilding their lives. They completed Narcotics Anonymous (NA), secured employment, and even purchased a new vehicle. Lastly, the couple had found a new home with the help of DCS, marking a significant milestone in their recovery journey. With their progress recognized, the family transitioned to unsupervised visitations, no longer requiring the intensive support from Families First Center. The best part? Emily and Tom's love story reached a new chapter as they tied the knot, sharing their wedding photos with the staff who had supported them along the way. Today, Emily, Tom, Sophia, and Emma are thriving as a reunited family. Their journey from struggle to success is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of community support. Join us in celebrating this incredible family's journey to a brighter future. 🌈 Your support helps families like Emily and Tom's overcome obstacles and build stronger, healthier lives. **Names have been changed to protect the identity of the family #FamiliesFirst #RecoveryJourney #Resilience #SuccessStory #NewBeginnings #FamilyReunification #InspiringJourney

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