First In Families Of North Carolina

The Statewide Cross-Area Special Program includes the Quality Assurance and Technical Assistance program (QATA), the Lifeline Project, and the Lifetime Connections program. QATA provides oversight and guidance, technical assistance, strategic planning, maintenance of strong Chapter Leadership Teams, new staff training, an annual assessment through Core Indicators of Chapter Health, and a comprehensive family support database to all 13 FIF Chapters statewide, including the 11 managed directly by FIFNC. This assistance ensures high-quality, customer-led family support and adherence to the FIF model. QATA support in FY 24 included 13 on-site Chapter visits to meet with staff and Chapter Leadership Teams, 12 monthly calls with all chapters, 470 one-to-one Technical Assistance requests resolved, and 6 chapter staff training events. The Lifeline Project provides family support to individuals and families who live in the 10 NC Counties not covered by an FIF chapter. All 13 Chapters scored over 80% on Core Indicators of Chapter Health (benchmark is 75% of the chapters scoring over 80%). In FY 24, Lifeline Project helped 55 families with 60 requests, statewide.

The Blue Ridge, Five County, Triad, and Southern Piedmont Chapters funded through Vaya LME/MCO assisted 331 families last year, fulfilling 412 requests. 168 of these families were completely new to First In Families. These three Chapters assisted residents across 32 counties.

FIF receives funding from NC DMH to operate the FIF- Eastern NC chapter, covering 17 counties in the Northeast and 11 counties in the Southeast.

Triad, Southern Piedmont, and Foothills Chapters funded through Partners LME/MCO assisted 154 families in 15 counties last year, fulfilling 182 requests. 60 of these families were completely new to First In Families.

Lifetime Connections provides future planning support to families who are planning for their child's or sibling's well-being when they are no longer able to provide the support and advocacy needed for successful community life. This includes two core services, Future Planning meetings, and a Personal Network for each member family. Families are assisted to put a comprehensive plan in place, including will(s), special needs trust, and letter of intent, and to develop Personal Networks for current (and future) quality of life and peace of mind. In FY 24, Lifetime Connections actively supported 58 volunteers who support Personal Networks for 11 member families in 4 counties. These volunteers provide advice, goal-setting, and friendship.