Families First Is Breaking The Cycle of Child Abuse
You’ve heard the expression, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” That’s an indisputable fact when it comes to child abuse and neglect. And one Palm Beach County nonprofit has for much of its 26-year history made major headway into doing just that – saving children from the lifelong effects of abuse, helping keep families together, and bringing an end to generational cycles of abuse.
Life circumstances – poverty, domestic violence, health and mental health issues of the parents, drug or alcohol abuse – interfere with some families’ ability to be the good parents they want to be. That’s where Families First of Palm Beach County comes in.
For 26 years, Families First of Palm Beach County, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been successful in ensuring children have the safe, loving homes they so desperately need. The organization has forged new ground in prevention efforts by working with at-risk families to deal with family issues, learn about child development, and be referred to services that meet their specific, individual needs. The organization offers a hand up, not a handout. Some 4,000 parents and children are reached each year.
Preventing physical and sexual abuse rather than trying to fix the cataclysmic effects on children not only provides a bounty of benefits for families, but also saves taxpayers millions. The savings is as much as $72,000 for every child kept with their parents and out of the child welfare system. Without the nationally evidence-based programs Families First provides – Healthy Families and Child First – taxpayers foot the bill throughout the child’s life – in costs of special education, mental health treatment, incarceration, and continued generations of abuse.
A 1999 study of female prisoners at Bedford Hills Correctional facility in New York found that more than 80 percent of those prisoners had a childhood history of physical and sexual abuse. Donate now to help stop this cycle.
And, to make certain every caretaker needing help gets it, Families First also provides a third abuse prevention program. The Kin Support Project helps grandparents and others raising a loved one’s children get the help they need to handle the many issues they face when thrust back into the role of parent as they looked forward to or were enjoying retirement.
How Does Families First Do It? Families First wants to keep families together. Studies show that children thrive best when raised by their parents in a stable home rather than in the welfare system. When raised in a safe home, these kids are more likely to grow up into productive, healthy adults, thus ending the cycle of abuse, as well as reducing prison populations and school failure.
Healthy Families, a nationally accredited, voluntary home visiting program for expectant and new parents, teaches child development, age-appropriate activities, and discipline techniques.
In 2015, 100 percent of the families that completed the program remained free of abuse and neglect a year later. Every little bit helps, donate now.
Child First, a national model, focuses on some of the highest-risk families – with very young children whose brain development may be threatened by the effects of stress or trauma. The program connects families to the home- and community-based services they need to build loving parent-child relationships to protect developing minds from trauma.
More and more grandparents find themselves raising their grandchildren when the parents cannot. Kin Support Project provides guidance to these families, who often don’t know where to turn for financial help, health insurance advice, and other services.
Families First reduces these “new” parents’ feelings of isolation and uncertainty. The organization links them to legal and financial services and provides forums for guardians to talk with others in similar situations.
Barbara and Jim Macaluso felt very much alone when they began the role of parents –again. Through the Kin Support Project, the Macalusos learned that they were entitled to funding and legal services. They also realized that they weren’t the only grandparents that had to put retirement on hold to raise their grandchild. With help from Families First, the Macalusos and their grandson are thriving.
How Can You Help? Many of the families served by Families First don’t have even the basics needed to help their children thrive. For every dollar donated, a Palm Beach County child receives help. For only $100, a child can have a car seat; $260 pays for a crib or toddler bed. Funds also pay for baby supplies, crib sheets, school supplies, gift cards, developmental toys, books, and more. A little over $1,000 provides 15 hours of Families First social work services. Donations also help Families First provide basic needs and emergency assistance to pay for utilities, groceries, or gas. Click here to donate now.
Families First relies on fundraising and community support to maintain its many programs and services. Individuals and companies can also support Families First in a number of ways, from a onetime online donation to planned giving.
To find out more about Families First’s many programs, and how you can help, visit its website at www.familiesfirstpbc.org and click here to donate now!