The KID FIRST (Family Intervention, Response and Support Team) program targets at-risk families that have been reported to the Abuse Registry and investigated by the Broward Sheriff’s Office Child Protection Investigations Unit. Referrals are also made by Broward County Schools, local police departments, other community agencies and sometimes, parents themselves. These families are in need of immediate services to address the risks that could lead to child abuse and the resultant removal of children from their home.

KID FIRST is a voluntary program that families can take advantage of when they are identified at-risk. It concentrates on intervening at the time of crisis and building on existing family strengths to reach a solution that works for everyone. The services we provide teach them how to become a functional, stable and supportive family and reduce the likelihood of them becoming involved with the child protection system.

All families are different, and there are many ways in which KID FIRST provides support, including: improving economic self-sufficiency by helping with job searching or training; providing access to community resources; discouraging the use of corporal punishment and other forms of physical violence, and helping families access healthcare and substance abuse, mental health, childcare and family planning services.

KID FIRST provides support to every single family member and gives parents, caregivers and children combined, the ability to acknowledge their problems, the power to solve them, and the strength to advocate for themselves and take advantage of community resources.

The KID First program is an intensive, in-home family preservation service, carried out by Family Support Counselors who assist families with alleviating crises that could lead to out of home placement of a child.