Youth First’s mission is to strengthen youth and families by providing evidence-based programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success.
Our mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success!
Our mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success.
For more information about Youth First’s programs and services, please provide your name, email address and a brief message about the nature of your inquiry. We’ll get your contact info to the appropriate person and get back with you as soon as possible.
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A generous donor wants to ensure our future is bright with a matching gift opportunity. If we raise $100,000 each year for the next 10 years, it will be matched by this donor!
Establishing a Smooth Transition from Home to School
All Posts, Counties, Youth First BlogBy Lisa Glahn, MSW, LCSW – July 15, 2026 – Returning to school after a break can be challenging for many children, especially after extended time away during summer or winter breaks. Typically, the longer students are out of their routine, the more challenging it can be to adjust to early mornings, structured schedules, and […]
Promoting Patience in a Fast-Moving World
All Posts, Counties, Youth First BlogBy Emily Bernhardt, MSW, LCSW – July 8, 2026 – Patience is a virtue. Good things come to those who wait. There are so many phrases we have heard time and time again that emphasize the importance of patience. Yet, even if we agree that being patient is important, it can be so hard to […]
Building Self-Esteem in Children: A Foundation for Lifelong Success
All Posts, Counties, Youth First BlogBy Ashley Lingafelter, MSW, LSW – July 1, 2026 – Research indicates that nearly 40% of children experience feelings of inadequacy, which can severely hinder their emotional and social development. These statistics underline an alarming reality: low self-esteem in children is linked to a host of negative outcomes, including poor academic performance, mental health issues, […]
Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten this Summer
All Posts, Counties, Youth First BlogBy Tiffany Austin, MSW, LSW – June 24, 2026 – Summer always seems to fly by. Before long, August arrives and a new school year begins. For incoming kindergarteners and their families, this milestone can bring a mix of excitement and nervousness. While children may look forward to new experiences, parents and caregivers often wonder how […]
Dealing with Anger: How to Help Your Child
All Posts, Counties, Youth First BlogBy Leah Doughty, LMHC – June 11, 2026 – Anger can feel scary for both parents and children, especially if you don’t know how to talk about it or handle it healthily. Many parents think that if they do everything “right,” their child won’t have a problem with anger. But that isn’t realistic. All children […]