First Step Family Support Center

“There are no committees that have the broad authority to act on behalf of the board of directors.”

“Form 990 draft is emailed to all members of the governing body and then discussed and voted upon prior to filing with the irs.”

“Directors, officers, and employees are expected to use good judgment, to adhere to high ethical standards, and to conduct their affairs in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict between the personal interests of a director or employee and those of first step. A conflict of interest exists when the loyalties or actions of a director, officer, or employee are divided between the interests of first step and the interest of the director, officer, or employee. Both the fact and the appearance of a conflict of interest should be avoided. The executive director and any other person with substantial influence over first step shall disclose to the board all material facts regarding his or her affiliation with any person with whom first step is considering entering a transaction. The executive director or person with substantial influence shall make that disclosure promptly upon learning of the link between that person and the transaction. If there is a question as to whether the employee has substantial influence over first step, the executive director shall present this issue to the board of directors, and the board shall resolve the matter. With regard to the executive director, or a person with substantial influence over first step, the board shall determine if a conflict of interest exists. After an affiliation disclosure by a director at a board meeting, the director shall leave the meeting while the implications of the affiliation are considered and voted upon. The remaining board members shall determine if a conflict of interest exists. If the board of directors determines that a person with substantial influence over first step (such person) has a conflict of interest with regard to a transaction of first step, first step may engage in the transaction only if the following conditions are met prior to the transaction: a. Such person shall disclose to the board all material facts concerning the person's affiliation with the transaction. B. The board shall review the material facts. The transaction may be approved only if a majority of the directors, not counting the vote of such person, concludes that the proposed transaction is fair and reasonable to first step, first step proposes to engage in this transaction for its own purposes and benefits and not for the benefit of such person, and the proposed transaction is the most beneficial arrangement which first step could obtain in the circumstances with reasonable efforts. Minutes of any meetings will be kept.”

“Compensation is determined for the executive director by the executive committee of the board and voted upon by the entire board. Compensation decisions are informed by the jefferson county non-profit wage study and the 501 commons non-profit wage study as well as 360 review process. The process described here was last completed in 2024.”

“Transparency is a value of our agency and to that end we provide independently audited financial statements, 990, and annual impact reports on our website. These documents as well as the conflict-of-interest policy and governing documents are also available upon request.”

“The parents as teachers model is an evidence-based home visiting program designed to ensure young children are healthy, developmentally on target, safe, and ready to learn. The program consists of twice-monthly home visits, group connection meetings, child screenings, family assessments, goal setting, and referrals to needed resources. These components create a cohesive package of services with five primary goals: 1) to increase parent knowledge of early childhood development and improve parenting practices, 2) to increase early detection of developmental delays and health issues and get children the needed services to get and keep them developmentally on target, 3) to prevent child abuse and neglect, 4) to increase children's school readiness and school success, and 5) to provide parent and child behavioral health services. The pat curriculum is designed to identify and build on family strengths and build these protective factors in the families' lives. Visits in the home are an integral part of the model. Our target population is: at-risk, low-income families with children 0-5 with a special emphasis on serving teen parents, first-time parents, and families experiencing health/mental health issues. First step has twice received the "blue ribbon" status by pat national for excellence in our work. We support 120 families a month with pat home visiting programming throughout clallam and jefferson counties. In 2024 first step served 163 individual families, providing 2,299 personalized home visits and 29 group connection events for families to connect and play.”

“Prenatal substance use puts children at risk. In addition to the risks of substance exposure, there is an increased likelihood of risk actors within the home environment. Parent child assistance program is a program, designed and supported by the university of washington, that helps mothers struggling with substance use and their families to build and maintain healthy, independent, alcohol/drug-free lives. Additionally, support is provided to work towards preventing future births of substance-exposed children. Case managers, supervised by a clinical supervisor and trained by staff at the university of washington, provide advocacy and intensive case management services enrolled women and their families for three years. Case managers provide extensive practical assistance such as helping to find housing, substance use treatment services, and legal services. They also provide long-term emotional support which is so important to women who are making fundamental changes in their lives. We serve up to 106 women each month through the pcap program. Pcap client expected outcomes include: a) client completion of treatment programs, b) abstinence from alcohol/drugs for more than 6 months during the program, c) regular use of family planning methods, d) children living with their own families (avoidance of out-of-home placement), and e) securement of permanent, stable housing. In 2024, 70% of clients have permanent or stable housing at exit compared to 40% at intake. 98% of children in the program are current on regular well-child visits, 80% of clients have custody of their child, and only 18% of clients are using illicit drugs, down from 95% at intake.”

“First step delivers a vast array of innovative and family-centered programs as part of our family well-being suite. In addition to the above two programs first step maintains a maternity support services program, infant case management, two brick and mortar family resource centers, multiple pop-up family resource centers serving outlying areas, clothing and equipment closets, a diaper bank that provided over 226,000 diapers to over 700 families in 2024, kaleidoscope play & learn groups, perinatal and infant mental health support groups and education, parenting classes, and other educational opportunities for parents and families. In 2024, the executive director was actively involved in the wcfc (washington communities for children) peninsulas early childhood coalition, whose purpose is "connecting local and statewide efforts to improve the wellbeing of children, families, and communities". Additionally, first step chairs the clallam & jefferson perinatal mental health task force which seeks to build community capacity for perinatal mental health services through collaboration and educational events for professionals serving pregnant and postpartum families and an annual community baby shower event that provides education and showcases available resources directly to families. First step staff makes referrals to needed resources and services for our clients, whether first step offers these resources and services or other agencies and providers. Providing concrete support in times of need is one of the research-supported protective factors that has been found to support optimal child development and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. In addition to our diaper bank work, we provided 84 brand-new car seats, 582 new children's winter coats, 200 pairs of brand-new rubber boots for children, and other support such as grocery gift cards, gas vouchers, and support for immediate critical needs. First step provided over $117,500 in concrete support to families in 2024. Overall, first step family support center provided one or more services to 1,828 families, with 47% of families engaging in more than one program and 20% participating in three or more programs.”