Matthew Hess, First Children Services CEO
July 5, 2023
This is an exciting time for First Children, as we wrap up another school year and begin our Extended School Year programs. Like any year, we had our challenges and successes with our collective pursuit of our mission, allowing us to continue pushing forward and delivering for our clients and payer partners alike.
As we celebrate and recognize our 14th year anniversary this month, our commitment to top-quality care to the children we serve remains paramount. With that, we have many exciting initiatives and projects that are ahead of us that I’d like to share with you all below.
● The First Children School in Fanwood will move into a brand new 44,000-square-foot facility in Plainfield, NJ sometime in 2024. The new building will provide a first-class facility for our students with special design features specifically tailored to the unique population we serve at the school. Further, it will provide a much better work environment for our amazing staff at the school to continue building on the success of the program over the last 14 years and prior.
● We are continuing to invest in our Administrative Support Services with the hiring and promotion of some very talented individuals across our human resources, talent acquisition and business development departments. These investments are not only to ensure the continued growth of First Children but to make the employee experience as good as it can be!
● As we embark on what will be our 15th year in business, we are refocusing all of our programs and services around the concept of “Educational Empowerment.” While our mission remains the same, we are doubling down on our ultimate role as an organization being to support children in getting the most out of their educational experience and leading the most independent and productive lives possible. This differentiates us as a provider whether it be through services we provide directly to school districts or to insurance/medical payers.
These are just a few of the exciting things happening at First Children, with more to come on many of them as the year progresses. I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued dedication to the children and families we serve and for always providing Life Changing Outcomes for Exceptional Kids!