Established in 1985, Project First Step is Family Support Network's premier in-home family therapy program. Masters level licensed therapists provide no-cost family therapy, parent education, resource referral and follow-up services to families with young children at risk of child abuse and neglect. The program helps families to build the skills necessary for positive parenting, as well as conflict and stress management, so that they can provide a safe, nurturing home for their children.
An Urgent Need
- Each year over 10,000 hotline calls are made to the Missouri Children's Division to report suspected child abuse or neglect in St. Louis City and County. Eight percent of those calls, on average, are determined to be actual child abuse. The remaining 9,000 can be considered children "at-risk."
- Child abuse and neglect is most often initiated by a person the child knows well - a parent, relative, babysitter or friend of the family.
- Children who lack the attachment to a caring adult, receive inconsistent nurturing or experience harsh discipline are often left with problems that affect their health, well-being and relationships with others.
- Research shows that an effective early, in-home visitation program is crucial and can prevent nearly 40% of child maltreatment.
The Program
Project First Step focuses on the needs and welfare of children within the context of their families, building on strengths to achieve positive outcomes. Services are provided by a Masters level family therapist for an average of six to nine months and include:
- Comprehensive family assessment.
- Weekly in-home, solution-focused family therapy emphasizing structured problem solving skills.
- Individualized parenting education focused on teaching parents about age-appropriate child behavior and the use of positive parenting skills.
- Resource referral and coordination with other community resources.
- Follow up in-home visits at three and 12 months post-service to make sure the family is maintaining a safe home and to offer "booster" sessions if needed.
2008 Outcomes
- 391 families and 1,585 individuals (1,173 were children) were served in 2008.
- 97% of children remained safe in their homes with no substantiated child abuse determined by the Missouri Children's Division.
- 94% of parents learned new parenting skills.
- 94% of families accessed new community resources to meet basic needs.
- 92% of families served met all goals of their service plan.
- 85% of families served, reduced their risk of child maltreatment.
- 81% of children displayed positive changes in behavior and/or thinking.
For additional information, contact Family Support Network at (314) 644-5055.
