Athens’ Children First Inc is lauded by DFACS

Audey Lee, a SafeCare home visitor at Athens-based Children First, Inc. has been named a Champion of Blueprint for Family First by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services in recognition of their work to ensure children can grow up safely at home.

“Children do better when they grow up in families. Giving parents access to services that help them learn how to safely care for their children means more youth can grow up in their own homes, and avoid the long-term trauma often caused by removing them from their families,” said DFCS Director Tom Rawlings.

At Children First, Audey visits families with young children who have current or previous Division of Family and Children Services involvement and teaches parenting skills and structured problem solving techniques to help parents find solutions to life challenges that may affect parenting.

“It’s about really looking at the root of what started this and helping folks come to the strength and freedom that they need to move forward and get out of these situations that put children in harm’s way,” Audey said.

“Audey fully believes that children belong with their parents when that is at all possible and is always fighting to make that happen,” said Children First Associate Director Mary Joyce.

The work of Audey and Children First are examples of some of the shifts coming to Georgia’s child welfare system under Georgia’s Blueprint for Family First, our state’s plan for evolving the child welfare system so more children can safely grow up at home. Blueprint for Family First encompasses a range of DFCS initiatives with the goals of strengthening families, reducing the trauma of removals and caring for kids in safe and stable homes.

About Children First  Children First is an Athens, Ga. nonprofit dedicated to promoting safe homes for children in times of family crisis. Children First administers three programs: Athens-Oconee CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), SafeCare, and SPARC (Supportive Parenting and Access Resource Center). For more information, visit childrenfirst-inc.org.

About Blueprint for Family First Georgia’s Blueprint for Family First is our state’s philosophy for evolving the child welfare system so more children can safely grow up at home. Blueprint Family First encompasses a range of DFCS initiatives with the goals of strengthening families, reducing the trauma of removals and caring for kids in safe and stable homes. For more information, visit blueprintfamilyfirst.org.

©2021 Cox Media Group