Description:
Child First is an evidence-based, trauma-informed, two-generation (caregiver and child prenatal through age 5), home-based mental health intervention that serves young children and families most impacted by systemic and structural inequities. The aim of the program is to intervene early to promote nurturing, protective relationships which can both heal and prevent damage to the child’s developing brain due to trauma and adversity.
Four goals of the program are to: Promote child and parent emotional health, Promote child development and learning, Enhance parent and child executive capacity, Prevent child abuse and neglect.
Primary Role of Program in Early Childhood Systems:
Direct Service
Service Area(s):
Adams, Alamosa, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Conejos, Costilla, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache
Population(s) Served:
Prenatal, Newborn, Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, Families, Caregivers, Teachers
Outcome-Based Activities The Program/Initiative Provides:
Family Support & Education
Services and supports promote the well-being and resiliency of parents and caregivers
View more programs in Caregiver Well-Being & Resiliency
All settings promote mental health and well-being through early identification, consultation and treatment
View more programs in Early Mental Health Consultation
All settings promote mental health and well-being through early identification, consultation and treatment
View more programs in Early Mental Health Treatment
All health care providers, including mental health, deliver coordinated, family focused care
View more programs in Coordinated, Family Focused Care
All children are ready for school and achieving by 3rd grade regardless of ability, race, place, income, language and culture
View more programs in School Readiness Supports
Program evaluates effectiveness of activities and services:
Yes
Outcomes access, quality and equity
Family Support & Education
Access
- Family engagement and leadership opportunities exist within programs, schools and communities
- Services and supports promote the well-being and resiliency of parents and caregivers
- Family friendly policies and practices exist in the workplace
- Comprehensive health coverage and services are consistently utilized by pregnant women and children
- Comprehensive health coverage and services are consistently utilized by pregnant women and children
- Integrated and preventive maternal and child physical, behavioral and oral health services are available
- All settings promote mental health and well-being through early identification, consultation and treatment
- All settings promote mental health and well-being through early identification, consultation and treatment
- All settings promote mental health and well-being through early identification, consultation and treatment
- Education, coaching and ongoing training exist for caregivers, teachers and other professionals
- Education, coaching and ongoing training exist for caregivers, teachers and other professionals
- Learning experiences and environments are high quality, developmentally appropriate and affordable
Quality
- Families advocate for high quality comprehensive services and supports that lead to future success
- Family knowledge and capacity support children’s healthy development and learning
- All health care providers, including mental health, deliver coordinated, family focused care
- Settings and practices promote strong relationships, social and emotional development, appropriate nutrition and physical activity
- Formal and informal care environments and education practices reach the highest levels of quality
- Adults understand and support children’s learning and development, including social and emotional
- All settings provide effective transitions across and within programs, schools and systems
Equity
- Education, employment, housing, financial and legal supports contribute to family economic security
- Families, including those with high needs, experience timely and coordinated services and supports
- Families have the ability to plan the number and timing of their children
- All environments are safe, free of toxins, have affordable foods and offer physical activity
- Children with special health, behavioral or developmental needs receive individualized services and supports
- All children are ready for school and achieving by 3rd grade regardless of ability, race, place, income, language and culture
- Children, including those with high needs, receive timely, comprehensive and affordable academic services and transition supports
