First Choice Social Services

“Supplies - 2588; Travel - 162; Insurance - 4752; Dues and Subscriptions - 816; Marketing - 668; Software - 6972; Meals & Entertainment - 352; Car and Truck - 33; Other Business Expense - 577;”

“To be the first choice in social services to provide treatment for families affected by domestic violence, substance abuse and teen homelessness.”

“First choice social services primary exempt purpose is to provide low-cost group and individual psycho-educational groups to men and women who uses violence against their intimate partner through our battering intervention and prevention program. While providing no cost support services i.e. Domestic violence victim support services through our partner advocate program. These program services are provided in many southern dallas low-income communities where crime is at it highest. In our battering intervention and prevention program (bipp), we currently provide nine weekly group sessions consisting of 8-20 men/women per group. This year we served 2015 client service hours. This program is accredited through the state of texas. The program is designed to hold men accountable for their use of violence against women and children in their lives. In our partner advocate program, our services consist of phone crisis support, information and referral to food banks, domestic violence shelters, assist with filing protective orders, case management, life skills and information about the bipp groups that their perpetrator is attending each week. These services are offered at no cost. We provided 360 victims and children service hours. Our wrap around services hours increased this year by 20% due to some organizations are not providing services requested. We increased our parenting education, emergency crisis counseling, clothing & food request. We were awarded a grant to further our wrap-around services in the area of job readiness, first-time entrepreneurial training and business etiquette 11 through our small business academy. We served 20 participants in our 10 week, 1.5 hour class. We partnered with other non-profit organizations to provide speakers weekly. Our topics include: write a business plan, business attire, banking business, filing your business with the state bidding for contracts, business foundation 101 with all of our programs we provide low-cost to no-cost services. We will not turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. First choice social services-accomplishments: . We have partnered with new organizations this year to further our community presence and meeting the needs of our clients. . We are serving on the advisory committee for metro care dallas and bank of america. . We have a new funder-texas department of criminal justice community justice assistance division (2) year grant . We are increasing our services to teens that have experienced dating violence, substance abuse and homelessness. We have a teen program coordinator that provides support groups, anger management, battering intervention and prevention programs, parenting, vaping program. . We have implemented our teen advisory council to provide information for services gaps for teens.”