1st Five brings resources, help to children and families in Grundy County

GRUNDY COUNTY – 1st Five isn’t a new program in Grundy County, but it is one that not many people know about, despite the fact that it can offer a wide variety of resources and assistance to children and families around the county.
The program, which is currently in place in 88 of Iowa’s 99 counties, is a non-profit public/private partnership that connects children and families in need with resources and assistance in their county. This assistance can range from support for children with developmental delays, support for parents, assistance with housing and clothing, assistance with food stamps, legal aid, financial assistance, nutritional education, resources for those experiencing domestic violence and much more.
1st Five Community Program Coordinator Brandyce Frink said that many people struggling with any of the issues listed above also struggle with access to assistance with these problems, which is where 1st Five can help.
“In this country we are facing monumental health concerns that arguably are situated within this grey area of cultural inaccessibility to the healthcare system,” Frink said. “We believe our program is changing health outcomes for the next generation by being that bridge to a positive experience with the healthcare system and the explicit community support we offer our community members.”
1st Five accomplishes this by partnering with medical providers in each county to refer patients to the 1st Five program if they express a need for certain assistance or resources, or if the provider senses the family could benefit from 1st Five services.
Here in Grundy County, the Grundy County Memorial Hospital is a 1st Five partner, and providers at the hospital have already started referring patients to the program.
For the full story, see this week's edition of The Grundy Register.