About Us
<span data-metadata=""><span data-buffer="">Welcome to
First Children Services!
On any given day, we touch the lives of more than 1,000 children and families with a dedicated workforce of over 500 teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, and support staff. Our organization works with 80+ school districts throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania and is approved by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families to provide behavior therapy, counseling, and support services; and is in network with Medicaid and most major insurance companies in NJ and PA.
We currently have six locations in Plainfield, NJ, Cherry Hill, NJ, Roselle Park, NJ, Mount Laurel, NJ, Montgomeryville, PA, and Pottstown, PA.
Who We Are
Since 2009, First Children Services has been providing a comprehensive continuum of care, taking an integrated approach to specialized education and therapeutic services that addresses the unique needs of children and their families.
Our STRIVE Autism Care Continuum is dedicated to improving the lives of children with autism by offering a wide range of services including screening and diagnostic clinics, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, psychological counseling, social skills groups, and behavioral parent training, all under one roof.
We pride ourselves on providing individualized 1:1 treatment, ensuring higher degrees of success. We believe the best way to drive outcomes for kids is a true integrated interdisciplinary model of care and that’s the hallmark behind our STRIVEAutism Care Continuum.
Our approach is not one-size-fits-all. Certain kids need an intensive ABA therapy whereas others do not. The process of integrating mental health services with more traditional behavioral approaches like ABA is what differs us from our competitors and is truly the best for the children and their families.
Opened
Districts Served
of Staff
NJ & PA Served
Family Owned and Operated
First Children Services is proud of the fact that it is a family owned and operated organization. Putting one’s resources on the line everyday has a way of keeping one focused. In our case that focus is the children we serve and their families. If they are happy, we are happy. If they are making progress, we progress along with them. If those who entrust their children to our case are satisfied with our services, then we are incentivized to do more. It keeps things simple.
We are very fortunate at First Children Services to have a cadre of world class advisors guiding what we do for children. Similarly, we have a Leadership Team second to none regarding their experience and commitment to children.
with his father, President Joseph Hess.
“Life Changing Outcomes for Exceptional Kids”
Mission and Vision
A mission statement should be fairly simple; it is the why behind a company. At First Children our why is delivering Life Changing Outcomes for Exceptional Kids. Whether it be a child in one of our day schools learning to take steps or eat solid food, a previously non-verbal 5 year old with autism attending their regular public school or a teenager who wouldn’t leave their bedroom due to anxiety now attending a four year university, we aim to achieve our why day in and day out. These outcomes look different for each child and we aim to partner with families and payers to achieve positive life improvements based on the individual & their own unique situation.
At First Children, we are family owned, family operated and family centered. Family is at the heart of what we do and how we do it; when you receive services from us, you become part of the First Children family.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
First Children Services is committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace. We’re an equal opportunity employer and stand strong against racism and hate of all kinds. First Children supports actions leading to respect, equality, fairness and peace for all.
Our Approach
We aim to become the leading pediatric behavioral health and special education services company in the mid-atlantic region. We will do this by providing exceptional quality of care, hiring the best and brightest in their field, integrating a variety of clinical disciplines working together, being accountable for positive outcomes and operating our company as efficiently as possible.
We do not believe in a one size fits all approach, particularly for children with complex behavioral health and special educational challenges. Instead, we aim to build true continuums of care across all of our service lines and populations; where children, their families and our payer partners have access to diagnostics, evidence based treatments/services, education and family supports under one roof.
Where to find us...
- Corporate Headquarters & Transitions Program
1256 Marlkress Rd, Cherry, NJ 08803
- First Children School
1030 Plainfield Ave, Plainfield, NJ 07060
- Montgomeryville STRIVE Autism Center
601 Bethlehem Pike Building D, Suite 100, Montgomeryville, PA 18936
- Mount Laurel STRIVE Autism Center
11000 Commerce Pkwy, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054
- Pottstown STRIVE Autism Center
500 Creekside Dr, Suite 511-519, Pottstown, PA 19464
- Roselle Park STRIVE Autism Center
316 Westfield Ave W, Roselle Park, NJ 07204