The First Born® Program was established in 1997 in Grant County, New Mexico through a collaborative community-based process. In 2018, the program’s founder and creator retired and the home visiting program’s model office moved to the Early Childhood Center of Excellence at Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Vision

First Born creates positive and meaningful family and community change.

The Mission of First Born Program

To encourage families to build strong relationships. The program provides quality training for home visitors and program leadership to ensure meaningful family and community outcomes. 

First Born is relationship-centered and curriculum-based. Families who participate in home visits receive coaching, support, information about early childhood development, health, nutrition and safety and learn fun activities to help build brain development and learning. The First Born Program was named one of the nation’s 10 most innovative and exemplary prevention programs in 2002 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, along with several other agencies.

Through weekly home visits, families identify personal goals, recognize challenges and opportunities for growth and build a healthy, loving, playful  relationship with their child.

Children are born learning. The foundation of relationships, experiences and skills developed in the first five years support a lifetime of success. The First Born Program supports child development in the areas of social emotional development, language, literacy and problem solving skills. Investing early means better outcomes for children, happier families and healthier communities.