Mission Statement
“Working together to empower every person to reach a positive future”
About Families 1st Partnership
Families 1st Partnership began its journey as a nonprofit in November 2018, when it received its 501(c)(3) status. Prior to this, grant programs were managed through the West Central District Health Department, which served as the fiscal agent. Our work dates back to 2012 when we launched programs aimed at training local therapists in Parent-Child Interactive Therapy and Child-Parent Psychotherapy. This effort expanded in 2014 with the introduction of the Community Response initiative and the Central Navigation model.
Central Navigation
Central Navigation serves as a communication hub, streamlining intake services for both individuals and agencies. A dedicated staff member, known as the Central Navigator, processes intake requests and connects individuals with the most suitable community resources. In addition, Families 1st maintains an online resource directory for a 16-county region known as Findhelp.
Key Initiatives
Families 1st Partnership is proud to support several initiatives, including the Connected Youth Initiative and the Pregnancy Assistance Fund. These programs assist current and former state wards, address teen pregnancies, and support individuals at risk of human trafficking. Additionally, we served as the fiscal agent and sponsor for the Communities for Kids initiative, providing financial aid to childcare providers to enhance the quality of services.
COVID-19 Response and Regional Expansion
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Families 1st secured funding to address the immediate financial needs of local residents. We also expanded our services into Keith, Perkins, and Arthur counties. By 2022, our team was actively engaging with key community leaders in Southwest Nebraska, delivering Community Response services to all 10 counties in the region.
Our Mission and Vision
Families 1st Partnership works with community partners to build strong, healthy communities by addressing gaps, needs, and barriers that families and at-risk youth face. Our primary goal is to prevent families, children, and at-risk youth from entering the care of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), including foster care and juvenile justice systems. A secondary goal is to foster collaboration among partners to better serve the community.
Central Navigation Services
At the heart of our services is Central Navigation, a community intake and referral hub designed to connect individuals in crisis with the right local agencies. Our partner agencies offer coaching to help families and individuals address immediate needs while working towards long-term sustainability. Families 1st also provides educational resources to help individuals with budgeting, basic life skills, securing better employment, and developing positive parenting practices. Additionally, we offer training for local agencies to ensure frontline workers are well-equipped to assist at-risk families and individuals.
