First Things First

First Things First (FTF) is an award-winning not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families in Hamilton County, Tennessee through education, collaboration and mobilization. FTF is a community resource that collaborates with and is supported by a broad cross-section of community organizations, groups and individuals.

Counties Served

Hamilton

Contact Info

First Things First

620 Lindsay St

Suite 100

Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403

(423) 267-5383

firstthings.org

Social

Stories about Social Services

The Path to Parenthood

For Torey Covington, motherhood was a journey that she expected to face alone. “I was 19 and pregnant and didn’t have any support from my child’s father,” Covington says. “I couldn’t even finish school.” “I was young and lost, and I didn’t know where I was heading.” “But as soon as I met my case worker from Baby University, MaryBeth Steffey, I knew I was in good hands.” Since 2015, Baby University has been partnering with expectant parents and those with young children to create sustainable futures so children can thrive. The Chattanooga-based program focuses on childhood development from prenatal stages to preschool. And it provides mothers and fathers with the tools to enhance a child’s stability while achieving their […]

The Path to Parenthood: Two women talk about how Baby University helped them realize their full potential

For Torey Covington, motherhood was a journey that she expected to face alone. “I was 19 and pregnant and didn’t have any support from my child’s father,” Covington says. “I couldn’t even finish school.” “I was young and lost, and I didn’t know where I was heading.” “But as soon as I met my case worker from Baby University, MaryBeth Steffey, I knew I was in good hands.” Since 2015, Baby University has been partnering with expectant parents and those with young children to create sustainable futures so children can thrive. The Chattanooga-based program focuses on childhood development from prenatal stages to preschool. And it provides mothers and fathers with the tools to enhance a child’s stability while achieving their […]
Preparing for Impact

Everyone knows to call 911 in an emergency, but what do you do when you need help finding food? Or getting a job? Or, more importantly, seeking shelter when your home environment is unsafe? In Tennessee, you can dial 211 and get that help immediately. The free, confidential line is backed by United Way of Greater Chattanooga and provides financial, domestic, health or disaster-related information to those who need it. No matter what callers are struggling with, in-house specialists listen to their needs and refer them to the proper resources. “Callers might need help paying rent or a utility bill, or they might need a voucher for food or information on domestic violence shelters — it can be any number […]

Preparing for Impact: At United Way of Greater Chattanooga, small contributions make a big difference

Everyone knows to call 911 in an emergency, but what do you do when you need help finding food? Or getting a job? Or, more importantly, seeking shelter when your home environment is unsafe? In Tennessee, you can dial 211 and get that help immediately. The free, confidential line is backed by United Way of Greater Chattanooga and provides financial, domestic, health or disaster-related information to those who need it. No matter what callers are struggling with, in-house specialists listen to their needs and refer them to the proper resources. “Callers might need help paying rent or a utility bill, or they might need a voucher for food or information on domestic violence shelters — it can be any number […]
In Tune for a Bright Future

Thanks to their ECF CHOICES support coordinator, brothers Mitchell, Paul and Edward Newton are living independently and reaching for their musical goals.

In Tune for a Bright Future: ECF CHOICES helps 3 brothers with autism live independently, reach for their musical goals

Thanks to their ECF CHOICES support coordinator, brothers Mitchell, Paul and Edward Newton are living independently and reaching for their musical goals.

Latest Better Tennessee Stories

Report Card: Dental Health In Tennessee

Tennessee ranks 38th for dental health in the nation. Here’s how we stack up.

Report Card: Dental Health In Tennessee: How our mouths affect our health

Tennessee ranks 38th for dental health in the nation. Here’s how we stack up.
7 Things You Don’t Know About Health in Memphis

Today, more Memphians than ever before are working together to improve health in their city. Here are some things you may not know about health in Memphis.

7 Things You Don’t Know About Health in Memphis

Today, more Memphians than ever before are working together to improve health in their city. Here are some things you may not know about health in Memphis.
Forces at Play

Could the path to happiness start at your local park? It sounds too good to be true, but research increasingly shows it’s a real possibility. A recent study of well-being in 44 major cities across the U.S. found that park coverage was among the best predictors of residents’ health and happiness. The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation is investing in Memphis parks through its first BlueCross Healthy Place project, the revitalization of David Carnes Park in the city’s Whitehaven neighborhood. “Concentrating our giving on BlueCross Healthy Places will allow us to have a bigger impact within our communities, reaching both urban and rural areas across the state,” said Scott Wilson, BlueCross director of community relations and health foundation. “We’re […]

Forces at Play: Exploring the intuitive design of the upcoming BlueCross Healthy Place at David Carnes Park in Memphis

Could the path to happiness start at your local park? It sounds too good to be true, but research increasingly shows it’s a real possibility. A recent study of well-being in 44 major cities across the U.S. found that park coverage was among the best predictors of residents’ health and happiness. The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation is investing in Memphis parks through its first BlueCross Healthy Place project, the revitalization of David Carnes Park in the city’s Whitehaven neighborhood. “Concentrating our giving on BlueCross Healthy Places will allow us to have a bigger impact within our communities, reaching both urban and rural areas across the state,” said Scott Wilson, BlueCross director of community relations and health foundation. “We’re […]