About

About2025-01-06T18:28:10+00:00

Children First Center is a non-profit agency that believes every child, every family, and every community within our reach deserves the best beginning possible. For some, that may require an extra pair of caring hands or the insight of bright minds for guidance.

We offer a broad scope of services for children and families through intervention, prevention and preservation for healthier kids, happier families, and stronger communities.

Our Vision: That everyone will experience a home where they flourish.

Our Guiding Principles:

  • Relationship-Focused
  • Supportive
  • Empowering
  • Impactful​

Children First Center is a non-profit agency that believes every child, every family, and every community within our reach deserves the best beginning possible. For some, that may require an extra pair of caring hands or the insight of bright minds for guidance.

We offer a broad scope of services for children and families through intervention, prevention and preservation for healthier kids, happier families, and stronger communities.

Our Vision: That everyone will experience a home where they flourish.

Our Guiding Principles:

  • Relationship-Focused
  • Supportive
  • Empowering
  • Impactful​

Our Leadership

Cathy Parks

Executive Director

Our Executive Director comes to us with 20 years of Healthy Families experience.  She is a member of the Healthy Families America National Advisory Board, representing the state of Indiana.  She attended Huntington College pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and followed that with a Master of Organizational Leadership from the University of St. Francis.  She is Dare to Lead trained and looks forward to building the capacity of our organization and growing strong leaders to help reduce the instances of child abuse and neglect in the 5 counties we serve.

Meggan Testin

Healthy Families Manager

Meggan has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Ball State University. For the past 19 years, she has worked with the Healthy Families program starting as a home visitor, then moving into assessments before becoming a supervisor. Meggan likes how Healthy Families affords families to share their unique story in a way that feels safe for the family. Meggan has been teaching yoga for the past 10 years, is a Certified Lactation Specialist, and was just awarded her Infant Mental Health Endorsement as an Infant Family Specialist and Endorsed Reflective Supervisor.

Bonita Byman

HOME Supervisor

Bonita has worked in the HOME program for 26 years. She was a home-based family support worker with families until March of 2022 when she became supervisor for the program. Bonita has also taught Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention classes to area schools and agencies for almost 10 years. Bonita has a Bachelor of Social Work degree, along with a Criminal Justice major from Ball State University. Bonita works closely with the Department of Child Services and other partnering agencies to ensure families and children receive the best support and services possible.

Christina Haver

Healthy Families Supervisor

Christina is a Supervisor for Healthy Families here at Children First Center. Christina possesses a Double BA in Health & Human Services and Child Development with a Minor in Psychology and brings with her extensive knowledge & first-hand experience in the field of social work, mental health, & behavior modification. Christina has approximately 5-6 years of supervisory, management, & mentor experience and has worked with Child Protective Services and partnered with Department of Child Services to coordinate a variety of intensive & non-intensive services for diverse communities of clientele.

Vikki Heins

Clinical Supervisor

Vikki’s bio will be updated shortly!

Debbie Hamilton

Healthy Families Supervisor

I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Indiana-Purdue University of Fort Wayne. I have 30 years of experience working with families. For 5 years I was a home-based worker providing services to assist those families involved with the Department of Child Services. I have been working in the Healthy Families Program for 25 years. I was a home-based worker and worked in quality assurance to ensure staff were providing quality services to families and monitored files, so they would adhere to the state’s standards. I have 10 years of supervisory experience in Healthy Families. For 8 of those years, I trained new staff coming into the Healthy Families Program. I have a passion for teaching staff how to build relationships with our families and believe it only takes one person to make a difference in someone’s life.   

Our Teams

HEALTHY FAMILIES

Family Support & Family Resource Specialists

Melinda Bowley | Lorie Bishop | Samantha Lavin Michelle Dempsey | Karen Surfus | Gabi Aguirre Kris Friend | Jennifer Schwartz
Jacquelyne Zahner | Zarabeth Lowe

Our Family Support Specialists and Family Resource Specialists travel across northeast Indiana providing services to expecting mothers and children under age of 3 years old.

CLINICAL

Carrie Langin MSW, LSW

Dawn Scott MSW, LSW

Susan Geels LMHCA

Our licensed Master’s level therapists have extensive experience treating children and families in a multitude of mental health issues including substance abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, trauma, LGBTQ, grief and loss.

HOME

Family Support Workers

Erin Oldenburg | Deborah Griebel | Stephanie Pea Kali Quackenbush | Rachel Morrison
Morgan Reilly | Lisa Inlow

Our HOME program’s FSWs bring a wealth of community resources, parenting education and compassion for children and families as they navigate through trying situations.

Board of Directors

Sandy Jones

President

Randy Morton

Vice President

Melanie Greutman

Secretary

Kristi Stull

Treasurer

Spencer Mohre

Board Member

Maureen Trentadue

Board Member

Frequently Asked Questions

What age groups of children do you support through your programs?2024-12-23T15:31:01+00:00

Our Healthy Families Program is specifically for children under the age of 3, but all other services are open to families or individuals who have a child under the age of 18.

Can I meet with a staff member to discuss my family’s specific needs?2024-12-23T15:30:20+00:00

Yes, please call 260-925-3865 to set up an appointment to speak with a HOME Supervisor.

Are your services available in languages other than English?2024-12-23T15:29:39+00:00

We are able to provide service to any individual through our translation services.  We make every attempt to have bilingual staff available.

Do you offer virtual resources or online classes?2024-12-23T15:28:56+00:00

Most of our services are face-to-face with the individuals or families we serve.  There are times when we make exceptions to provide virtual services to families.

Do you partner with schools or other educational institutions?2024-12-23T15:28:16+00:00

Yes, Children First Center partners with local schools to support children and families. Since we work with children under the age of 18, we maintain close connections with schools in our area.

We have a contract with Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools to provide support counseling and case management services to families in need. Additionally, we collaborate with local schools to offer our Shaken Baby Education classes to health classes upon request, promoting awareness and prevention among students.

Can I donate to support your programs?2024-12-23T15:27:32+00:00

Yes, you can!  We greatly appreciate the support of our community.  Donations help fund our programs, including home visiting services, parenting education, clinical support, and more, directly benefiting families in need.  Your contribution ensures that we can continue to provide vital resources for families in Allen, Dekalb, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben and Whitley counties.

Please send donations to the following address:
Children First Center
PO Box 562
Auburn, IN  46706

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.  Thank you for your generosity!

Are there volunteer opportunities at Children First Center?2024-12-23T15:26:11+00:00

Children First looks for volunteers during our annual Holiday Loaf event held the second weekend of Nov. and during any of our special events.

How does Children First Center collaborate with local organizations?2024-12-23T15:25:29+00:00

Children’s First Center actively collaborates with other agencies that support families and children to ensure a network of comprehensive care. We maintain agreements with local hospitals and encourage representatives from helping organizations to serve on our Advisory Board and Board of Directors.

Additionally, our management team attends interagency meetings across all the counties we serve, staying informed about resources and building strong partnerships to better support the families in our community.

What tools or materials do you provide to help with parenting?2024-12-23T15:24:17+00:00

We provide a variety of tools and materials to support parents in their journey, including educational resources, parenting books, and practical tools to help with child development, behavior management, and communication. Through our programs, parents receive personalized guidance during home visits, and we offer group classes that focus on building strong, nurturing relationships.

We utilize evidence-based programs such as Parents as TeachersNurturing ParentingMotivational InterviewingBaby Talk, and others to ensure that families receive the best support possible. Additionally, we administer the Ages and Stages Developmental Screening and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen to monitor developmental milestones and mental health, helping to ensure parents and children are thriving. We also provide access to additional resources and referrals as needed to ensure parents have the support they need to thrive in their parenting role.

Do you provide resources for children with special needs?2024-12-23T15:23:21+00:00

While we do not provide direct resources for children with special needs, we are committed to supporting families in any way we can.  If you are facing parenting challenges related to your child’s special needs, we can provide guidance, support, and parenting education to help strengthen your protective factors.  For more specialized services related to your child’s needs, we are happy to refer you to professionals and specialists who can provide the expertise your child requires.  Our goal is to ensure that families have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

Can grandparents or other caregivers access your services?2024-12-23T15:21:44+00:00

Yes, we provide services to any individual or family that is the guardian or parent of a child under the age of 18.  This includes grandparents, foster parents, and other caregivers who are designed to support those in caregiving roles by providing resources, parenting education, and guidance to strengthen family dynamics and improve child development.

Do you offer resources for new parents?2024-12-23T15:21:07+00:00

Yes, we offer resources through our nationally accredited Healthy Families (HF) program.  Enrollment in this program takes places before the baby turns three months old, and we can provide support until the child turns three.  Our main goal is to walk alongside the family and help parents navigate the nuances of raising a child, offering guidance and resources to build strong parenting skills.  Through regular home visits and personalized support, we aim to empower parents to feel confident and capable in their roles.

What kind of support can I expect for navigating family challenges?2024-12-23T15:20:13+00:00

The support you can expect depends on the program you qualify for.  Through our Healthy Families program, you can receive long-term support, with visits lasting up to three years, providing in-depth guidance for strengthening your family’s well-being.  For other programs, the support may be short-term, typically up to six months, and designed to address immediate family challenges.  Most visits are conducted in the home and generally last about one hour, offering personalized, one-on-one assistance to help you navigate family dynamics and access resources.  Regardless of the program, our goal is to ensure you have the support and tools needed to thrive.

What educational workshops or classes do you offer?2024-12-23T15:19:40+00:00

We offer a variety of workshops and classes to support families, including:

  • Parenting Classes: Individualized sessions using the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting curriculum.
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome Education: To raise awareness about infant safety.
  • Celebrating Families Group: A 16-week program designed to help families and individuals impacted by substance abuse.
  • Other Customized Workshops: Based on community needs and requests.

Our goal is to provide the tools and knowledge families need to thrive!

How do I enroll in a program or access your services?2024-12-23T15:18:24+00:00

To enroll in any of our programs or access services, you can:

We’re here to assist you every step of the way!

Are your services free or is there a cost involved?2024-12-23T15:17:57+00:00

Most of our services are offered free of charge, including:

  • Healthy Families Program
  • Celebrating Families Group
  • Nurturing Parenting Classes
  • Community Partners Program

However, there are fees associated with court-ordered supervised visits and therapy services. Please contact us for more details regarding costs for these specific services.

Do you provide one-on-one support for parents or caregivers?2024-12-23T15:16:34+00:00

Yes, most of our services offer individualized, one-on-one support tailored to meet the unique needs of parents and caregivers. These include:

  • Healthy Families (HF) Program
  • Community Partners (CP) Program
  • Parenting Classes
  • Department of Child Services (DCS) Services

Additionally, we offer a group-based program, Celebrating Families, where families meet together in a supportive group environment instead of individually. This program is designed to address the impacts of substance use while strengthening family relationships.

What types of programs and resources do you offer for families? We provide a variety of programs and resources to meet the unique needs of families:2024-12-23T15:15:29+00:00
  1. Healthy Families Program
    • A nationally accredited program offering individualized home visits to families with children under the age of 3.
    • Families must enroll during pregnancy or while the child is under 3 months old.
  2. Parenting Classes
    • Individualized classes using the evidence-based Nurturing Parents curriculum to support positive parenting practices.
  3. Community Partners Program
    • Short-term case management to help families address specific challenges and connect with resources.
  4. Celebrating Families Group
    • A 16-week program designed to help families and individuals address the impacts of substance abuse while strengthening family dynamics.
  5. Services for Families Involved with DCS
    • Counseling and supervised visitation services for families involved with the Department of Child Services.
  6. Private Pay Services
    • Counseling and supervised visitation services available to families seeking support independently.

Our programs are tailored to help families strengthen protective factors, navigate challenges, and build healthy, stable relationships.

What areas of northeastern Indiana do you serve?2024-12-23T15:14:25+00:00

We serve Allen, Dekalb, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben and Whitely Counties.

Who can benefit from our programs and services?2024-12-23T15:13:49+00:00

Any individual who is parenting a child under the age of 18!

Where is Children First Center located?2024-12-23T15:12:53+00:00

1610 S. Grandstaff Drive
Auburn, IN  46706

What is the mission of Children First Center?2024-12-23T15:12:14+00:00

We build relationships with parents and caregivers across northeastern Indian to offer support, education, and resources to navigate daily family life.

Go to Top