Giving Connection

First Steps, Inc.

This nonprofit has not yet verified the listed information.

Volunteer

1900 Graybar Lane, Nashville, TN 37215, USA

EIN Number: 62-0674974

contact information

Phone: (615) 690-3091

Hours: Closed

Mon - Fri 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM (EST)

Sat Closed

Sun Closed

Website: https://firststepsnashville.org/

Email: mfett@firststepsnashville.org

NTEE Code: P82: Developmentally Disabled Centers

MISSION - WHAT WE DO

The mission of First Steps, Inc. is to care for children with special needs and medical conditions alongside their typically developing peers in an inclusive environment and support their families. The vision of First Steps is to: Enhance the quality of life for children and their families, eliminate barriers to services for children with special needs, empower families as they seek to meet the needs of their children, celebrate each child's unique potential, and improve the community as a whole; child by child, family by family.

SERVICES - HOW WE DO IT

Community Outreach Program The First Steps Community Outreach Program consists of 16 developmental therapists that travel to a child's home, childcare center or other natural setting to spend time each week in play based interventions geared towards the child's goals. Coaching with parents and other caregivers in these natural settings and preparing them to work with tools to continue these techniques is an important part of this program. The Ayundando Ninos (Helping Children) program is a part of the Community Outreach Program that works with children from multi-cultural families, offering interpreters to assist in communication and other cultural barriers. Last year, the Community Outreach program served 697 children aged birth to three years old in the Middle Tennessee area. Pediatric Therapy Our Pediatric Therapy Program offers occupational, speech/language, physical, feeding, and aquatic therapies to children up to age 12 in our McWhorter Family Children's Center. Over the past year, over 5,600 therapy sessions were provided to 249 clients. With a growing staff, we are able to serve more children than ever before. Pediatric therapies are one of the top fields for growth because the needs continue to expand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the various pediatric therapy fields will see growth at a rate of between 29% and 38% over the next 5 years. Child Development Centers Our inclusive McWhorter Family Children's Center offers full-time care and education to children with special needs alongside their typically developing peers ages six weeks to five years. In 2018, 92 children were served in the child development center. First Steps serves children who are often turned away from other programs due to the severity of their health issues, medical needs, or limited resources. Our staff is highly trained and provides each child the individual attention they need, recognizing that each child has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. Our staff reports daily to parents and caregivers via Teaching Strategies Gold on their child's progress, while providing tools to continue these techniques in their home environment. First Steps provides our children with a curriculum rich in literacy and developmental skills while encouraging healthy lifestyles. Our on-site nurse works with staff to ensure each child receives ample exercise and nutritional snack options, and creates lessons around healthy eating using tools like our vegetable garden to encourage participation in healthy choices. We also provide parents with healthy lunch-packing options. Keeping our children healthy both nutritionally and developmentally is a priority.