First Responders Children’s Foundation Resiliency Program

We help them cope with stress, manage their fears and build mental resilience.

Mental And Behavioral Health Support For Children Of First Responders

For over 20 years, our foundation has focused on the unique needs of the children of first responders. More than ever, these children carry a heavy burden knowing the daily dangers their parents face. In times of crisis, these burdens weigh even heavier and can impact a child significantly—particularly for those that lose a parent. Our children are our future.

Our program provides free confidential mental health counseling and wellness resources to children of first responders.

Children of first responders live each day with the fear that their parent may not return home. What’s more, they are exposed to stories of loss, illness and danger. These burdens weigh heavy on children and can impact them significantly—particularly for those who lose a parent in the line of duty. And with an existing mental health crisis among US children overall, stress, anxiety, and depression is only magnified for those with first responder parents.

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"We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the First Responders Children’s Foundation to bolster resources and programs available to our families. It is important to ensure everyone is included when focusing on the behavioral health and well being of our membership, especially the youngest members of our Fire Department families."

County of Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone.

"In a time when a significant percentage of American youth struggle with mental health, the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF) Resiliency Program is a welcome addition to the employee wellness resources of the Los Angeles Police Department. Other services provided by FRCF include financial assistance, grants, scholarships and bereavement assistance for both officers and dispatchers. When personal matters are supported, our first responders are able come to work with a state of mind allowing them to better handle the high stress demands of being a public servant. The Los Angeles Police Department is always looking for opportunities to serve those who serve others, and looks forward to working with FRCF."

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore.

"Firefighting is one of the most stressful occupations imaginable—only combat soldiers endure more stress. Firefighters routinely experience stress on the job which inevitably can impact home life. With the First Responders Children's Foundation's new Resiliency Program, LAFD members will be giving their children the best gift - getting them the help they need to cope with stress, manage their fears, and build mental resilience."

Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.

Details

FRCF helps families manage these ever-present stressors by providing free counseling from licensed mental health professionals who specialize in treating children of first responders. The confidential nature of these services helps children feel more comfortable sharing concerns and asking for help. Counselors are available in a growing number of states across the country (currently in Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Florida). The program also provides access to an ever-expanding roster of wellness resources that support a child’s overall mental health and resilience.

“I know when my father leaves for his shift, there’s always a chance I may never see him again.”

Delaiah, daughter of a police officer

Who We Serve

Our Mental Health Resiliency Program protects and strengthens the mental resiliency of the children of police, fire, sheriff, EMS, and 911 dispatchers.

The Vision Is Simple

Free, confidential, professional, trauma-informed counseling services for the children of first responders. All therapy services for children and family members are:

Confidential and anonymous
Culturally competent
At no cost to first responder families
Provided by licensed mental health professionals
Accessible both virtually and in-person

We Can Help

First Responders Children’s Foundation can help if your child is experiencing any of the following: Fear, anxiety, isolation, depression, nightmares, undeserved shame, victim of Bullying, public humiliation or self-harm ideation.

Available in Eight States

The program is available to first responder families in Hawaii, California, Oklahoma, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee and Texas. The program has been developed to scale into more states.

First Responders Children’s Foundation does not provide a suicide hotline. If anyone in your family is experiencing suicidal thoughts or an emergency please call your local emergency number 9-1-1. Or reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any cost associated with the program?

The program is free to all children of first responders and their immediate family members. We identify first responders as police, fire, sheriff, EMS, and 911 dispatchers.

Who is eligible for this program?

The Mental Health Resiliency Program is available to children of first responders 25 and younger. In some cases, the parent may be seen as part of a family session, but this, as well as minimum and maximum ages, vary by provider and state. Please note if the child of the first responder is 18 or older they must complete their own referral form.

Where is the program offered?

The program is available in eight states including Hawaii, California, Florida, Oklahoma, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee and Texas with more states launching in the coming months.

How do I book an appointment?

Request an appointment here.

How long does it take to get an appointment?

Our mental health provider partner in your state will contact you within 72 business hours of FRCF receiving your referral form. They may try and contact you by email, phone call, and/or text message. At that point, you will complete intake with the provider and they will help you schedule your first appointment based on availability.

What should I do if I’m not contacted within 72 hours?

Please check your spam inbox and the phone number you provided. It’s possible you may not recognize the phone number or email of the provider, as it will not be First Responders Children’s Foundation trying to contact you. If you confirm that our provider partner has not reached out, please contact natalie@1strcf.org or call 201-580-6625.

Is this confidential?

All information you provide through this HIPAA-secure referral form is 100% confidential and will only be shared with First Responders Children’s Foundation and our culturally-competent counseling partners in order to match you with a provider.

All counseling services are completely confidential unless the law requires divulgence. Agencies will NOT be notified unless the first responder requests it. Counseling sessions remain confidential between client and the mental health professional.

Are the appointments in person or virtual?

The program provides virtual appointments. However, in some locations in person appointments may be available.

Is the program available for children of retired first responders?

Yes, we serve our retired first responders. We are committed to all our first responders and especially as they enter retirement.

How do I know if my child needs support through this program?

The high levels of stress that first responders experience daily on the job can easily carry over to their spouses and children. Children of first responders may fear for the parents’ safety, worrying about if they will come home at night or if they have been hurt on the job. First responders work long shifts or may be called away suddenly for work and miss important dates like holidays or special accomplishments. Children may feel resentment or disconnected from their parent. Additionally, children can experience secondary or vicarious trauma and exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress. With this information in mind, culturally competent counseling is an extremely effective course of action not only for the first responder, but for the children as well.

What are the benefits of my child participating in the program?

Counselors provide a safe space for children to process their experiences and feelings unique to being in a first responder family. Children learn healthy coping skills to deal with feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, and even grief and loss. Counseling also promotes increased relaxation, healthy relationships, and the confidence to manage difficult situations at home, at school, and with peers. Providing counseling to children of first responders creates a positive impact in their own lives, in their family system, as well as in the community.

What is Secondary Trauma?

First responders risk exposure to dangerous and traumatic events. Unfortunately, the stress from this exposure can make its way home to the family. Consequently, family members of these first responders risk developing secondary trauma.

Excessive worry or fear of something bad happening
Feeling easily startled or “on guard” all the time
Nightmares or recurrent thoughts about traumatic situations

How do I recognize Secondary Trauma in a family member?

When Secondary Trauma affects children, it is difficult for them to ask for help. A child may exhibit subversive behavior, emotional outbursts, or act out in other ways. All of these expressions may be their way of showing their need for support in some of the following areas:

Fear
Anxiety
Isolation
Depression
Nightmares
Undeserved Shame
Victim of Bullying
Public Humiliation
Self-harm ideation
Suicidal thoughts

How do you select counselors?

Counselors have specific training, are hand-picked to deal specifically with children and first responder families. All counselors are vetted through background checks, reference checks, license verification, annual certification, thorough interviewing with clinical team, management team, and first responder team. There is also ongoing oversight and communication through the programs clinical director including quarterly clinician meetings and consistent cross communication between counselors and clinical director.

What if my child’s counselor is not the right fit?

From time to time our counselors might not be the best fit for the client they are serving. This happens for a variety of reasons, sometimes personalities are not cohesive. Should this situation occur, we are able to assist in seamlessly assigning a new counselor to your case.

How is FRCF funded?

FRCF services are funded through the generosity of the donations, foundations, corporate sponsorships, and other grant support.