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The FIRST Programs Allow You to Self Refer to Find Services and Help for Your ChildWe are very happy to announce that the FIRST Programs (Family Intensive Resource and Strategy Team) have been launched for counties served by NSMHA (North Sound Mental Health Administration). This program resembles the "Child Study" teams that were phased put a few years ago, due to limited funding issues. The big difference with the FIRST programs is that families can submit the application themself, without being referred by a service provider. This means that the delay, normally experienced while waiting for the referral to be issued from an agency, can been eliminated. So here are the details on how to utilize this new service... First, the child, or family must reside in one of the counties served by NSMHA, which include: Island San Juan Skagit Snohomish Whatcom Step 1. The family, or a service provider, fills out and submits the form. Please note that the fields marked by an asterisk must be filled in. The more info we have initially, the better we can assist you and your family. If you are unsure of what to enter into the field, please enter "unsure", "not applicable", or even "I don't know". We can add additional info after the application has been submitted. Once you have completed the form, click on the submit button at the bottom of the page. This sends the application in, and you will then see a Thank You page. This lets you know that the application has been submitted. Step 2. Once the form has been sent, you will soon be contacted via phone, email, to discuss specific concerns or problems with a Certified Peer Counselor. This is a person who has been through the system, because they have a "special needs" child of their own. They are familiar with systems navigation, locating resources, and offering support to help you through the process. They have also been trained, tested, and certified by the state of Washington, to provide this service to families. Step 3. The Certified Peer Counselor then relays the info from their contact with the family to the FIRST facilitator, who will arrange for representatives from a variety of local agencies, to sit in on the FIRST program meeting. By including this very important step, the family will only meet with people and providers to assist with the specific concerns voiced by the family. Your personal and private concerns will not be shared with agencies that won't be involved in the meeting. As an example, we have connections with local law enforcement for each area. But if you situation does not involve, or require assistance from them, they will not be at the meeting. Although they are readily available, should the need for them arise. Step 4. All families are eligible to use this service, and attend the initial meeting. This allows the family to find out about any and all services that are available, in their area. If they elect to utilize a service or program, they must meet the "Access to Care Standards" (eligibility requirements) for that specific program. And any application forms will be there to fill out and submit, on the spot. The FIRST Program's goal is to make families aware of the variety of services that exist, and streamline the process to connect families with these services. FIRST also gives them a chance to brainstorm with the providers, to come up with ideas, solutions, and other resources to implement, to make home life easier for all members of the family. Please follow these links to submit you FIRST application... Island County FIRST application San Juan County FIRST application Skagit County FIRST application Snohomish County FIRST application Whatcom County FIRST application Sign Up for the TRIP Newsletter
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