St. Joseph First Connections Referral Program

First Connections puts children and families at the center of a community of support services. The program is closely linked to, and integrated with, the St. Joseph First Born® Home Visiting Program. Children and families served currently are those enrolled in the First Born Program. This is a “strength-based” referral program that is respectfully of individuals and builds on the needs identified by, or with, the individual or family. Referral staff will help those needing assistance in understanding and making informed decisions about possible solutions. Staff may advocate on behalf of those who need special support and will reinforce the individual’s capacity for self-reliance and self-determination through education, affirmation and collaborative problem-solving.

The work of St. Joseph First Connections will directly inform St. Joseph advocacy efforts. As issues such as lack of services, inability to access services, barriers to services and other issues are identified St. Joseph will use that data to substantiate needs at a critical level of detail that will strengthen its advocacy efforts and inform policy decisions at the local and state level.

Please call 505-924-8000 for more information.