First Step Family Support Center

“Board is provided a copy of the 990 for questions and approval.”

“The executive directors annual performance review is conducted by the board of directors.”

“Tax returns are available upon request”

“To promote the healthy development of children and families on the north olympic peninsula(of washington state)through building family strengths. First step utilizes the solid research that had been done on risk and protective factors and resilisency to inform its work with families. All of the programs that we provide are intended to build protective factors into the lives of families, many of whom have multiple stressors in their lives. Therefore, all of our programs seek to 1) build parental resilience 2) build social connections for families 3) increase parent's knowledge of parenting and child development 4) increase families' access to concrete support in times of need and 5) promote the development of social and emotional competence of children. We provide a variety of programs for both parents and children thus focusing on a two generational approach to family wellbeing. Our programs include center based activies such as parenting classes, support groups, drop in centers, kaleidoscope play and learn groups, free books/literacy building programs, kindergarten readiness activities, a learning academy for preschoolers focused on building executive functioning skills, safety programs including safe sleep and safe car seat programs and cooking classes that utilize fresh locally grown foods. We also offer several home visiting programs including: the parents as teachers home visitng program, the parent child assistance program for families with substance abuse issues, the promoting first relationships home based programs, maternity support services for pregnant women and their infants and a home visiting program designed to meet the needs of developmentally delayed parents who are parenting young children. We also provide outreach services to isolated families and offer services such as english language programing and help with accessing needed resources. First step also hires former clients as professional parent educators, health workers and social service providers when they become qualified to provide these services though higher education and experience. First step served over 1700 families in 2017. This number represents appoximately 5,400 unique adults and families.”