First in Families

First in Families of the Sandhills
> How We Do Business

Families may directly contact FiF to receive an application, or may be assisted by a professional such as a case manager or child service coordinator to receive an application. The family or individual fills out and signs the application and returns it by mail, fax or in person.
The FiF coordinator contacts the applicant to clarify any information, discuss the family's needs and dreams, and explain the way FiF works. If an applicant is ineligible based on criteria from the state Division of MH/DD/SAS, DD Section, the coordinator makes appropriate referrals to other resources in the community.
For eligible applicants, resource matching begins immediately. The coordinator can make referrals, community connections and/or attempt to locate free or discounted items or services (leveraging). Based on the applicant's needs and the success of connecting the family to resources, the coordinator may recommend the use of cash assistance to the Management Team.
A work group, comprised of any or all of the Management Team members,
plus the project coordinator and project director, meet each month to review and discuss applications received to date and brainstorm all options for community resources and FiF support.
A family who receives cash assistance must wait six months before reapplying. A family whose application is not selected or remains unfulfilled may reapply in the following month. The coordinator may do resource matching and coordination for any family at any time.
Families may apply for emergency assistance two times per year. Emergency funds will be available to all families regardless of whether the family received FiF assistance before. There is a limit on the amount of funds FiF may spend each month on emergency requests. These funds are used on a first-come, first-served basis until they are depleted.