Youth First Social Workers

Protecting and healing the hearts of children.

Find a Youth First Social Worker Outcomes

Research tells us the presence of one caring adult can make a difference in the life of a child, and that’s the kind of support Youth First Social Workers provide students in partnering schools. They are specialized mentors who are readily available to assess and address student, family, and school needs.

Learn More

Get in touch with Youth First staff for more information about this program.

Laura Keys, LCSW, Vice President of Social Work & Programs

Knowing that I had someone to go talk to made all the difference.

—Anonymous student

Many children and families are dealing with a lot of potential stressors and my role is to step in and provide the extra support needed to make sure those social, emotional, and behavioral concerns don’t hinder their success in school and life.

—Youth First Social Worker

Youth First Social Workers serve schools in a thirteen-county area in Indiana that includes Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Lawrence, Martin, Morgan, Monroe, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties. They provide an array of prevention and early intervention strategies for individuals, groups, and the school community. They also coordinate with community partners to connect students and families to resources and services.

Students can be referred to the Youth First Social Worker by teachers, school administrators, parents, caregivers, peers, or may self-refer.

20,201

student lives touched by a Youth First Social Worker

2,971

students receiving on-going individual support

4,388

referrals to community resources

12,322

parent consultations

32,393

teacher/staff consultations

99%

of students receiving services advanced to the next level or graduated high school

88%

of graduating seniors had college or career plans

These students and their parents significantly improved…

Conflict Resolution

Mood Management

Communication

Family Bonding

Coping Skills

Decision Making

Peer Resistance

Testimonials

“Without Youth First, we would not be able to reach the lives of the kids at the level that we are. We’d be putting Band-Aids on our children’s issues, and really [Youth First Social Worker] Mrs. O. is invested in that kid’s life…and is doing intensive work to really help that child.”

Nichole AlcornEVSC Administrator

“Mrs. A., if people can be safe places, you’re my safe place.”

Elementary school studentto her Youth First Social Worker

“When I was in high school, I was dealing with problems at home, and I had no interest in school. I was struggling with anxiety, depression, and anger. I was making bad decisions until I was referred to my school’s Youth First Social Worker.

I don’t think I would have graduated without her support.”

Selenaformer North High School student

“Now more than ever, the absolute necessity of having a Youth First Social Worker available for our kids reveals itself everyday. The needs of our students have only increased in these uncertain times. I can’t imagine not having highly qualified, caring, consistent support for our students. Partnering with Youth First was one of the most important, impactful decisions that we have made for our school. I can’t imagine a time before Youth First.”

Mark ArnoldPrincipal, Washington Jr. High School

“Mrs. C., when I talk to you I feel brave.”

Elementary school studentto his Youth First Social Worker

“To be able to have a dedicated Youth First Social Worker in our schools to reach our young people at a crucial time in their lives is a sound investment.”

Alan BubaloEdward Jones Financial Advisor, Washington, IN

“I feel it is vitally important to have availability and access to Youth First Social Workers in all the schools and in as many youth programs as possible. It literally saved my daughter’s life and provided me with a sounding board and a helping hand during the rough patches when I didn’t know where to turn.”

Motherof student helped by a Youth First Social Worker

“You make my heart feel good.”

Elementary school studentto her Youth First Social Worker

“Youth First has helped me greatly. Working with my Youth First Social Worker has helped me to actually start loving myself again. Last year I was severely depressed, had severely self-harmed, and wasn’t eating nearly as much as I should have been. Now I am in a much better place mentally. I am no longer under depression’s control.”

High school student

“I was dealing with low self-esteem due to my peers cyber-bullying me. After meeting with my school’s Youth First Social Worker, my life changed for the better, leaving me confident in myself, and most importantly, happy.”

Middle school student

“Working with my Youth First Social Worker helped me learn new strategies and learn how to control my anger and find other ways to deal with my stress and emotions without taking it out on other people.”

Middle school student

Our school suspensions decreased 75% after one year of service from our Youth First Social Worker. She has the skills, training, and heart to approach a problem, do a quick “micro intervention,” and make a connection that’s effective and culturally responsive. We can now take a kid who has no school skills and a traumatic home life and see him succeed.

Travis HowardPrincipal, Dexter Elementary

Youth First Social Workers

Learn More

Knowing that I had someone to go talk to made all the difference.

Many children and families are dealing with a lot of potential stressors and my role is to step in and provide the extra support needed to make sure those social, emotional, and behavioral concerns don’t hinder their success in school and life.

Testimonials

Support Youth First

Where to find us

Get In Touch