Families First in Essex County Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO UTILIZE FAMILIES' STRENGTHS, WHILE PROVIDING SERVICES DESIGNED TO EMPOWER, SUPPORT, AND EDUCATE FAMILIES, SO THEY CAN LIVE IN HEALTHY INTERDEPENDENCE WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 8.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 75%
- Employees
- 44
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $127,768, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1.2 million spent. HEALTH HOME CARE MANAGEMENT - HEALTH HOME CARE MANAGEMENT IS A CARE MANAGEMENT SERVICE MODEL WHEREBY ALL OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S CAREGIVERS COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER SO THAT ALL OF A PATIENT'S NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED IN A COMPREHENSIVE MANNER. THIS IS DONE PRIMARILY THROUGH A "CARE MANAGER" WHO OVERSEES AND PROVIDES ACCESS TO ALL OF THE SERVICES AN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO ASSURE THAT THEY RECEIVE EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO STAY HEALTHY, OUT OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM, AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. HEALTH RECORDS ARE SHARED AMONG PROVIDERS SO THAT SERVICES ARE NOT DUPLICATED OR NEGLECTED.
- $865,175 spent. MEDICAID MANAGED CARE - PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEDICAID-ELIGIBLE CHILDREN AND YOUTH UNDER AGE 21, DELIVERED IN HOME AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS. SERVICES ARE INDIVIDUALIZED AND FAMILY-DRIVEN, FOCUSING ON EARLY INTERVENTION, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AND STRENGTHENING FAMILY SUPPORTS TO IMPROVE HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND OVERALL FUNCTIONING. THE PROGRAM PROMOTES SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS WHILE HELPING PREVENT HIGHER LEVELS OF CARE AND OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENTS.
- $508,599 spent. AID TO LOCALITIES - PROVIDES A RANGE OF STRUCTURED, STRENGTH-BASED SUPPORTS TO FAMILIES CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS. SERVICES ARE DELIVERED BY TRAINED FAMILY PEER ADVOCATES AND FOCUS ON BUILDING CAREGIVER SKILLS, PROMOTING SELF-ADVOCACY, AND CONNECTING FAMILIES TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED AND GROUP SUPPORT. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY CAPACITY, IMPROVE CHILD OUTCOMES, AND SUPPORT STABILITY IN THE HOME AND COMMUNITY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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