For a listing of the counties served by local FIF Chapters, along with contact information, visit the Local FIF Chapters page of this Web site.
Did you know that First in Families of North Carolina has a Time Bank? Currently the Time Bank covers Wake, Durham, Orange, Chatham and Person counties. You may be able to find what you need as a member of the Time Bank. Learn more about the FIFNC Time Bank.
The First In Families local Chapters offer support to families and individuals according to their self-defined needs. Examples of supports include computers, home furnishings or modifications, childcare or respite, or repairs to vehicles. Support can also be the connecting of an individual to vocational, social, and educational opportunities in the community; whatever it takes - for people to live and participate fully in their community.
To respond to a particular need, First In Families partners with local businesses, citizens, and agencies. Sometimes we work to get the lowest possible price, or we might barter or exchange something. Other times we simply make a referral to an appropriate agency. As First In Families engages the community, relationships often develop. Through this process, the original need gets met, and the community becomes a richer place.
A First In Families local chapter can support any family in which one family member has a developmental disability or delay, or is at risk of the same, or has a traumatic brain injury. Families or the individual must live in a county served by the Chapter and they must meet financial eligibility requirements. The residence must be a home, not a licensed facility.
Families who have received help from FIF often wish to help another family in the future. Examples of this type of 'circle of giving' include foreign language translations, or donations of labor or needed items such as furniture, car seats, computers and toys.
First In Families values privacy, and individual family information is kept confidential.
Between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011, of 2477 requests for help made to our local Chapters, 23 percent were to help families provide school supplies, computers, therapy, prescriptions, summer programs and health & wellness activities. The average income of these families was $16,883, 83 percent of the federal poverty level for 2011 for the average family size of 3.5.
A First In Families Chapter can support any family in which one family member has a developmental disability or delay, or is at risk of the same, or has a traumatic brain injury.
First In Families of NC and the local Chapters define "family" very broadly. Any group of people who live together and consider themselves family, are family to us. Also, any eligible adult who lives on his/her own, with or without housemates, is considered a family for our purposes.
For more information about the areas we serve, along with local contact information, visit Local FIF Chapters.
If you live in an area that does not currently have a First In Families Chapter, we can help you get one started. Contact our Director, Betsy MacMichael, at 919-251-8368 for more information.
First In Families of North Carolina | 3109 University Drive | Durham, NC 27707
919-251-8368 | email