Beneficiary

Family First -
A Program of the Alpha Resource Center

Family First is a parent-directed program and network of parents, caregivers, family members, and professionals. Family First connects families who have children with special needs with other families, provides information, and offers guidance with systems navigation, advocacy, and mediation. Through parent-to-parent support, trainings, and a lending library, Family First provides links to local and national resources and information. Family First is composed of parents and professionals committed to helping families by collaborating to understand and navigate effectively within service systems. Since its incorporation with Alpha Resource Center in 1994, Family First has helped thousands of Santa Barbara families meet the challenges of caring for, educating, and raising children with special needs.

The Family First Program is just one program in Alpha Resource Center’s array of lifespan services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members. Alpha Resource Center receives over 1600 calls annually for information, system navigation, advocacy and support. Monthly, Family First averages 40 referrals to new families living in Santa Barbara County who have received the news that their child is impacted by developmental delay or disability.