Child First, a program operated by Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), provides evidence-based early childhood mental health services through home visits to children ages 0-5 years and their families. The program focuses on serving those who have been impacted by trauma, abuse, poverty, and other challenges. As the first provider of Child First services in Pennsylvania, PHMC’s program has delivered care to families since November 2022.

Child First provides integrated psychotherapeutic interventions that are embedded in an early childhood system of care. Families who are either on the waitlist or have been newly admitted into the program are offered monthly virtual calls led by clinicians, caregivers currently involved in the program and family resource coordinators. Additionally, care coordination and case management support are provided. Child First aims to disrupt intergenerational trauma and cycles of generational poverty by improving child and parent mental health and resilience, promoting school readiness and decreasing child abuse and neglect.

To make a referral to Child First, please complete their referral form and email it to childfirst@phmc.org.

***Please note that the referral form is in the process of being updated, and a new version will be circulated in the near future.