Families First

Families First’s number one goal is to strengthen families.
We have a holistic approach and offer a host of programs designed to help families thrive. Together we can build resilient families so all children can thrive.

For 130 years, Families First has been providing empowering solutions for Atlanta’s most vulnerable population. In 1890, Families First started as an orphanage on the Westside of the city on what is now the Spelman College campus. In 1937, we went on to become the first licensed adoption agency in the state of Georgia. In 1964, we opened the first group home (now called cooperatives) for young people in the state, and in 1989 we developed a curriculum that more than 200 communities across the country use to help divorcing parents learn how to co-parent their children. Now, we are committed to setting up youth for success by young adulthood by providing them with key services to overcome life’s challenges and reach their goals.

We recognize the cycles of poverty are not broken by one program or service alone so we offer a combination of services and supports build resilient families and ensure foster and underserved youth are successful and independent by young adulthood. Through our collaborations with community partners, virtual services, and locations throughout the state of Georgia, Families First is able to impact youth and families by providing counseling services, health and wellness education for pregnant teens, early childhood education, life skills for youth in foster care, parenting classes, supportive housing, adoption facilitation and placement, and so much more.

Our Impact Areas
Families First helps build resilient families through our Behavioral Health, Parenting, and Permanency programs and services. Discover what we offer below.

Counseling
Our services strive to assist families, individuals, youth and children to express, understand and cope with life events including circumstances and trauma that cause distress as well as decrease quality of life.

Navigator
Families First Navigators provide intensive and personalized case management by connecting individuals and families with community services and resources while building on their resilience to help them thrive. Navigators specialize in connecting individuals and families in the Metro Atlanta area to diverse services and resources like basic needs (food, clothes, baby supplies, furniture etc.), housing, counseling, medical, coaching, employment, education support, financial advice services, early pregnancy, parenting programs, legal services, domestic abuse resources, disability, social security benefits and more. Navigator@familiesfirst.org.

Teen Pregnant and Parenting Program
We offer resources to empower young parents to build safe and strong families. We teach young parents about healthy pregnancy, delivery, and home care for their new baby.

Chispa
Families First Chispa (“Spark” in Spanish) Program is a community-based program that recognizes the need to improve outcomes for low income Latino families with children ages 0-5 in Gwinnett County. These unique families struggle with complex challenges that include poverty, social isolation, family violence, mental illness, addiction, criminogenic involvement, immigration issues and low to moderate resiliency scores. The Chispa Program is intended to empower families and build strong resilient communities via education, early childhood development and parent leadership. Chispa utilizes Parents as Teachers (PAT) and evidence-based home visitation model, to ensure school readiness and achievement among pre-school age children.

Georgia Center for Resources and Support (GACRS)
The Georgia Center for Resources and Support (GACRS) was designed by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services to assist in strengthening Georgia’s adoptive, foster, guardianship, and kinship families. GACRS is a statewide support service for all families parenting children in care. Managed by Families First, GACRS links families to an array of comprehensive supports and resources that has provided empowering solutions for Atlanta’s most vulnerable population by strengthening and sustaining families. https://gacrs.org

Georgia Adoption Reunion Registry
Since 1990, the Georgia Adoption Reunion Registry has offered services to adopted persons, birth family members, and adoptive parents affected by adoptions finalized in Georgia. Contracted by the Department of Human Services, the Reunion Registry provides education, information, and reunification support to adopted persons and birth family members looking to make connections. http://www.ga-adoptionreunion.com/

Impact Hub Classes
Families’ First IMPACT Hub Classes strengthen resilient families by supporting their commitment to be caregivers and/or forever families for children in foster care. Classes are taught by trained, experienced providers who understand the resources, information and guidance that is needed to learn how to respond to the unique needs of a child in foster care. Prospective caregivers who complete the training receive their certificates and move forward to complete additional requirements needed to help children in foster care thrive.

Access and Visitation
Access and Visitation services are for parents and guardians who are seeking legitimization and visitation services. The service also includes “Parenting Time”, a 90-day resource that includes both educational seminars and case management to assist custodial and non-custodial parents to work together and coparent in the best interest of their child(ren). In addition to visitation, mediation and community linkage to legal resources are available. These services are offered to all participants who have an active child support case with the Division of Child Support Services.

Partners in Parenting Services
Partners In Parenting (PIP) provides positive, supportive, and encouraging parenting approaches that can make all the difference in a child’s life. PIP aims to help parents put their best foot forward during the transitions of divorce and parental separation. The parenting curriculums address the developmental and emotional needs of children and emphasizes each parent’s responsibility to provide a nurturing and non-threatening environment for the child (ren); teaching parents how to best lead their changing families to a successful and positive outcome. https://partnersinparenting.org/. Whether it’s providing impactful training, classes, and workshops both virtual as well as in-person or meeting the requirements of a divorce or separation via an on-line curriculum, PIP offers several classes and trainings that best fit many family situations.

Morehouse School of Medicine Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic
Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) has partnered with the non-profit organization Families First to open a new location for its weekly child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) clinic. Beginning today, MSM behavioral health clinicians will be available to see patients on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 80 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30314.

A Child & Adolescent Psychiatry attending physician, CAP fellow, and psychiatry residents will evaluate and treat mental health conditions in youth up to age 21. The new partnership will provide a great opportunity for cross referral, with MHC clinicians initiating referrals to Families First for youth mental health services and Families First referring patients to MHC for primary and specialty care. Patients and their families may make appointments by contacting Families First at 404-853-2800 or emailing counseling@familiesfirst.org.

Get Involved
Families First relies on volunteers, corporations and organizations to provide support that directly serve our clients’ needs. Our goal is to provide the most rewarding partnership experience by matching your interests, abilities and talents with the needs of the families we serve.

Gift-a-Family
The holidays are especially hard for children and families who are struggling to afford a roof over their heads, let alone a holiday dinner or gifts under the tree.

The Families First Gift-a-Family drive is making the lives of children a little brighter during the holiday season, thanks to generous donors like you.

Back to School Bash
Families First, Starbucks, Target, and Kroger are partnering to help families be prepared to return to the classroom through the Back-to-School Bash. This community celebration is focused on building community resilience, promoting family health and education resources, and food accessibility for all families in the Atlanta community.

Building community, family and individual resilience is at the heart of Families First mission. The Back-to-School Bash offers access to resources to build resilience, as well as offers families free access to many of the important items needed for our children to return to school safely including groceries and back-to-school supplies. Event attendees will also have access to the Families First’s resiliency screening tool to assess their readiness to face life’s challenges and to get back out there.

Become a Volunteer
Families First relies on volunteers, corporations and organizations to provide support that directly serve our clients’ needs. Our goal is to provide the most rewarding partnership experience by matching your interests, abilities and talents with the needs of the families we serve.

How Can You Give?
Families First relies on the generosity of friends, donors, volunteers, and area partners. Their donations aid us in our mission to strengthen and build resilient families. We give funds to support programs that help women, children, and families in our community.

Online Donations
Families First gratefully accepts cash donations of any amount. We put that money toward serving more families and children in the metro-Atlanta area.

You can give a one-time or monthly gift through our easy-to-use donations page. Your contribution ensures the success of our children and families.

To Donate Now Online, visit the link below:
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/families-first-inc-atlanta-ga/resilience-to-thrive-fund

Contact Families First:

Main Office
Located on Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard, serves as the Families First headquarters. This building is located in the heart of the Westside and serves as space for our administrative offices, special events, and volunteer/donation programs. We have marked visitor parking in the front of our building. Please check-in with our front desk upon entering.

80 Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard, NW
Atlanta, GA 30314
(404) 657-3555
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p. m.