First Chance for Children

At First Chance for Children, we offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to support your specific parenting needs. Our mission is to provide early childhood programs and family resources that support safe and healthy outcomes for children and families across Missouri. Our organization wraps around families with four main early childhood programs, each tailored to support the diverse needs of our community.

Lend & Learn Toy Library

Lend & Learn is a free and engaging program supporting children ages 0-5 and their families in growing essential skills through play. With two indoor locations in Columbia and Centralia, this program offers regular playtime hours and an outdoor playground in Columbia. Families can borrow toys to extend their play and learning at home. Additionally, we host various play events and activities, providing a fun and educational environment for young children and their caregivers.

Baby Bags Diaper Bank

More than just a diaper bank, the Baby Bags program offers a variety of supplementary services. This program provides diapers, wipes, hygiene products, and essential items for children. It also includes guidance on child development and safety. Families can access these resources at our First Chance office or through our partner programs by visiting during drop-in hours or scheduling an appointment. During visits, families fill out a brief enrollment form, gain new child health and safety information, and receive needed supplies and referrals to community agencies. Items are available once a month and vary by county. The Baby Bags program aims to ensure families have the necessary resources to care for their children.

Safe C.R.I.B.S.

Recognizing that babies are at the greatest risk of child abuse and death due to sleep issues during their first year, our Safe C.R.I.B.S. program provides a safe crib and essential information for families to safely put their child to bed. The program includes the delivery of a crib to the family home and five additional home visits focused on child abuse and neglect prevention and child development. Families can sign up by visiting our office or scheduling an appointment. The crib is delivered when the infant comes home from the hospital, or when a child under the age of one no longer has a safe sleep space. During visits, families receive new child health and safety information, necessary supplies, and referrals to community agencies.

Baby U

Baby U is a home visitation program designed to help families strengthen protective factors as they navigate the challenges of raising children. Serving families with children from prenatal stages up to the age of five, this program utilizes a blended home visitation model combining Parents As Teachers and Nurturing Parenting. These evidence-based models are tailored to meet each family's specific needs. Parents As Teachers focuses on parent-child interaction, child development, and family well-being, while Nurturing Parenting emphasizes self-nurturing, parent-child bonding, and parenting skills. The program includes regular screenings to monitor both physical and social-emotional development of children and postpartum parents. Incentives for participating include diapers, wipes, home & health items, and board books.

All First Chance for Children our services aim to:

• Support and encourage care that promotes positive brain development and overall early childhood development for children prenatal to five.
• Provide services that lead to school readiness.
• Offer families information and support to prevent child abuse and neglect.
• Ensure low-income households and children with special needs have equal access to services.

Through these programs, First Chance for Children is dedicated to supporting families and fostering a community where all children can thrive.