Families First Center

Families First Center

Individual and Family Services

South Bend, Indiana 155 followers

Promoting safe connections and positive parenting!

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.

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

Locations

Employees at Families First Center

Updates

  • View organization page for Families First Center, graphic

    155 followers

    We're just one week away from Giving Tuesday! 💙 This special day is a chance to come together and make a real difference in the lives of children and families facing tough times. Every donation, big or small, helps us provide essential resources, support, and hope for brighter futures. If you’ve been looking for a way to give back this season, we invite you to join us in making an impact. Let’s create more success stories together! Visit our website: familiesfirstcenter.org to give now. #GivingTuesday #SupportFamilies #FamiliesFirst #MakeADifference

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    Take time now to define your family’s priorities for the holiday season. Many of us fall into a trap of people-pleasing and over-scheduling, and become so stressed that we don’t enjoy the many planned activities. A chaotic holiday season is a choice, not a given. Instead, make a holiday “bucket list” with your family and decide what activities are most important, and don’t be afraid to say no to everything else! Protect your time so that you have the space and energy to do what matters most to you and your family, and so that you can actually enjoy it! Here are some polite ways to say not to overscheduled chaos. #FamiliesFirst #StressFree #HolidaySeason

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    In honor of World Kindness Day, let’s remember: everyone is facing challenges we may never see. A small act of kindness can make a world of difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s a kind word, a simple smile, or offering support to a neighbor, these gestures remind us of our shared humanity and compassion. Today, let’s spread kindness and give others the grace we’d hope for ourselves. 💙 #WorldKindnessDay #BeKind #FamiliesFirst #CompassionMatters

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    🌟 Success Story Spotlight: Reunification of Two Children 🌟 Meet Aaliyah and Javion, parents who faced a challenging journey when their two children were removed from their home due to substance abuse and unsafe living conditions. Determined to rebuild their lives and family, they turned to Families First Center for support and guidance. Despite the distance, Aaliyah and Javion made the commitment to travel an hour each way, twice a week, for supervised visitations with their children. These visits were not just a time to reconnect but also an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to positive change. Alongside these visits, they worked tirelessly on several fronts: securing new housing, maintaining a clean and safe home, passing drug screens, and attending substance abuse classes. The effort they put in was evident in their progress. The visits went smoothly, and the bond between Aaliyah, Javion, and their children grew stronger with each session. Their consistency and commitment paid off as they were soon approved for community visitations. This significant milestone allowed them to spend more time with their children in a less structured environment, further strengthening their family connection. After a few months of successful community visits, Aaliyah and Javion were given the opportunity for a trial home visit with their children. This step marked a critical turning point in their journey. They continued to demonstrate their commitment to their treatment plan, providing a safe and loving home environment for their children. With the unwavering support of Families First Center, Aaliyah and Javion successfully navigated their treatment plan, leading to the reunification of their family. The case was closed, and they could finally celebrate the joy of being together again under one roof. Aaliyah and Javion's story is a powerful testament to the impact of determination, love, and support. Thanks to Families First Center's essential role in facilitating visitations and providing guidance, this family was able to maintain and strengthen their bond throughout the challenging process. Now, they look forward to a brighter, united future. Join us in celebrating Aaliyah and Javion's incredible journey of recovery and reunification! 🌈 **Names have been changed to protect the identity of the family #FamilyReunification #StrengthInRecovery #FamiliesFirst #NewBeginnings #InspiringJourney #SuccessStory #FamilySupport

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    💖 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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    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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