NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Children & Families First

BY AMANDA SCHIMMEL

In times of instability, the needs of our community rise and beckon for help. Answering these calls for assistance—whether it be through visiting pregnant and parenting women or providing foster care and adoption resources—is Children & Families First, a nonprofit that prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of every Delaware family and their children.

What began as a response to community needs arising from a financial crisis in the 1880s, Children & Families First stands resilient today as one of Delaware’s oldest and most respected statewide nonprofit organizations. Providing support through evidence-based practice and innovative approaches, they live through the action of their commitment, one that empowers them to proudly and accurately state, “Our name is our promise.” CEO Kirsten Olson explains, “We have a very robust continuation of services. Our primary goal has always been recognizing and being responsive to the current needs of kids and families in Delaware.”

The aid that Children & Families First (CFF) offers encompasses a wide array of services, including early childhood programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start. Spanning more than 50 years, the federally-funded Head Start programs support children’s growth from birth to age five through early learning and development services. Olson reflects on their school-based work when she remarks, “It’s a great place to reach and connect with the kids. We’re always looking at how we can continue to build on these successes and broaden our reach in those places.”

When the work is directly linked to the community, a powerful bond inevitably forms. “Whether it’s delivering a service in someone’s home, in a school, or at the library, we’re trying to be a part of the fabric of the community,” says Olson. “We are here to champion children and families in Delaware and to meet those needs at the individual level. Our work encourages a thriving community.”

This commitment to a robust community also translates into Children & Families First’s work culture, as it was recently recognized as a Top Workplace for the twelfth time—with Olson herself being recognized and honored as one of Delaware’s Top Leaders. Just as its employees stress the importance of mental health when they interact with the community, the organization also places a high importance on staff wellness.

Olson shares, “We are very focused on understanding brain science and the impacts of trauma and adversity, both for the folks we serve and for our staff. This is a critical foundation to our mission as an organization.”

How can you get involved? According to Olson, there is opportunity for every individual, business, and communitybased group to take action. For those seeking career opportunities, CFF has openings in varied professional backgrounds statewide. For those interested in volunteer and support opportunities, hosting drives and helping to raise special funds are an excellent way to give back to the community. “To get involved is to help us get tangible things like diapers and storybooks into the hands of our kids and families,” Olson says. “We also operate a fund that helps kids and families meet emergency needs. It could be a new school uniform, a bed, or a car repair; those kinds of things can present significant barriers to families.”

Children & Families First is truly pioneering the community’s needs with a genuine desire to improve the lives of everyone they assist. By helping even just one family, the organization inspires a ripple effect within the entire community, thus ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

Amanda Schimmel currently serves as a communications assistant at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.