About Families First

Families First is a free empowerment training on the basics of early intervention in the Philadelphia school system.

All families receiving early intervention services in Philadelphia are welcome.

Families First was developed and is taught by parents of children in Early Intervention, in partnership with nationally recognized professionals.

 

Upcoming Sessions

Watch this space for more Families First sessions!

Recorded Families First Sessions

For information you need, watch our in-depth, recorded Families First webinars. Registration is required to access the free sessions.

Transition to Kindergarten Panel Discussion Webinar

For parents of children in Philadelphia starting kindergarten in September. Learn vital information about the Transition to Kindergarten process with a panel of experts: representatives from Elwyn Early Learning Services, The School District of Philadelphia, and The Philadelphia Interagency Coordinating Council (PICC). Recorded March 2024.
Request access to Transition to Kindergarten Panel Discussion

Let Your Loving Hands and Heart Go to Work

Knowing how to use your loving heart and hands to create calm moments is a wonderful thing. We all want more of those moments. Learn some ways to bring ease into your world and that of your family members.

Presented by Marianne Roche and hosted by Stacy Phillips, Project Coordinator for Educational and Leadership Development. Recorded January 2024.
Request access to Let Your Loving Hands and Heart Go to Work

We Are in This Together: Parent and Professional Perspectives for Supporting Your "Ausome" Neurodiverse Child

Discussion on the importance of collaboration and understanding between parents and professionals. The teamwork of parents and professionals in supporting each other to help their neurodiverse child achieve a life of possibilities is crucial to success.

Presented by Jamiel Owens, father of an "Ausome" teen and Family Relations Coordinator for the Center for Autism Research; and Jessica Lax, Psy.D., Clinical Director for SPIN. Hosted by Stacy Phillips, Project Coordinator for Educational and Leadership Development.
Recorded June 2023.
Request access to We Are in This Together

Addressing Social Emotional Development, Concerns and Challenging Behavior in Young Children

Presented by Kim Prendergast, ABC ITEI Coach and Team Support Consultant and Cynthia Gray, Early Intervention Training Coordinator, Thomas Jefferson University.
Recorded May 2023.
Request access to Addressing Social Emotional Development

Transition from an IFSP to an IEP, the Nuts and Bolts

Presented by Stacy Phillips, Institute on Disabilities Project Coordinator for Educational and Leadership Development; and Malinda Knipfer, Special Education Consultant.
Recorded November 2022.
Request access to Transition from an IFSP to an IEP, the Nuts and Bolts

Overview of the IFSP and IEP

Presented by Stacy Phillips, Institute on Disabilities Project Coordinator for Educational and Leadership Development; and Malinda Knipfer, Special Education Consultant.
Recorded October 2022.
Request access to Overview of the ISFP and IEP

Potty Training

Presented by Icylee Basketbill, Families First Trainer
Recorded September 2022.
Request access to Potty Training

Therapeutic Play with My Child

Presented by Kathryn Snyder, Parent to Child and Therapy Associates.
Recorded May 25, 2022.
Request access to Therapeutic Play with My Child

Advocacy Tips for Families

Presented by Jamie Ray-Leonetti, Associate Director of Policy, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.
Recorded April 11, 2022.
Request access to Advocacy Tips for Families

Assistive Technology for Families

Presented by Stacy Phillips, Project Coordinator for Leadership Development, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.
Recorded April 20, 2022.
Request access to Assistive Technology for Families

 

Parents who attended Families First told us

"I discovered the importance of developing a vision and goals for my child."

"The whole class was enlightening and motivated me tremendously."

"Families First is a group of parents that talk to you like they are in your family."

 

Families First offers you

• Direction on how to be an effective member of the Early Intervention Team.
• A chance to meet other families with children who receive services.
• Information to help you be confident as an equal member in your child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Family Services Plan (IFSP).

Families First is sponsored by:

• Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS)
• Elwyn Early Learning Services
• The Philadelphia Interagency Coordinating Council (PICC)

Families First is conducted by: The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education.