Child First helps struggling families build strong, nurturing relationships that heal and protect young children from the devastating impact of trauma and chronic stress. We use a two-generation approach, providing psychotherapy to parents and children together in their homes, and connecting them with the services they need to make healthy child development possible. Research shows that Child First stabilizes families and improves the health and wellbeing of both parents and children. For a list of areas where this proven intervention currently operates please see our State Affiliate page.
Relationships Matter
Early experiences and relationships are critical to brain development – they build the foundation for emotional and physical health, learning, and life success. But too many parents face crippling hardships just when their children need them most. When children grow up in stressful environments where they are exposed to violence, neglect, or untreated mental illness, those experiences can block the normal, healthy development of their brains—harming their long-term health and resilience.
By helping families build strong, loving relationships, our work protects and heals children from trauma and stress. This makes it possible for young brains to focus on learning rather than survival, and provides the foundation children need to live healthy and productive lives.
Our work also helps parents heal from their own history of trauma and adversity, empowering them to create nurturing, safe, and growth-enhancing home environments. As we work to connect families with the services they need—like a safe place to live, medical care, job training, or a good preschool—we help them build their own capacity to focus, plan, organize, and attain goals for their future.
