I’m a member of the Board of Directors of Kids First, and I’d like to share some of the amazing things this organization does to help children and their families.

KidsFirst was established in 1989 as a private, non-profit organization to end child abuse and neglect – so that every child can live in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment.

Every day, we provide guidance, education and tools that help parents cope with life’s stressors. Helping parents helps their kids. For example, we offer co-parenting classes to teach divorced or separated moms and dads to engage in neutral communications in front of their children. They learn to increase positive communication, manage anger, decrease negative effects on children and enhance the child’s confidence and self-esteem.

KidsFirst also has counseling and family resource centers in Auburn, Roseville and partners with schools and faith-based organizations. We connect parents of all cultures and means to the proper resources and services to help them to be better parents.

Of course, KidsFirst was organized as the Child Abuse Prevention Council for Western and Southern Placer County. Our primary focus is to provide prevention and early intervention services to high-risk families so that child abuse and neglect can be deterred and to help those who have already suffered abuse or neglect. KidsFirst works closely with government and a county-wide collaborative of allied agencies to take every step possible to keep parents and kids together, including working directly with parents to help avoid abusive relationships.

Last year, KidsFirst served nearly 3,800 children and 2800 families through our direct programs and services, as well as reaching out to nearly 7,500 individuals in outreach events. All services are free and confidential and available in English and Spanish.