Our Mission
Our mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student success.
Youth First exists to strengthen and transform the lives of young people and their families. Youth First Social Workers provide specialized mentoring and caring support to students in partnering schools, readily available to assess and address students, family and school needs. Youth First prevention programs give kids the readiness, resiliency, and relationship skills needed to face life’s challenges.

Youth First in
Daviess County
To book a speaker, support, donate, volunteer, or advocate for Youth First in Daviess County, contact Janay Sharp, Regional Development Officer.
Find out more about Youth First Social Workers available in Daviess County










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 […]