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Families 1st tells commissioners it serves 401 clients and 113 households in Belle Glade; officials pledge outreach help
Summary
Families 1st presented countywide programs serving Belle Glade, reported 401 clients (113 households) in ZIP 33430 and urged better referral coordination with the Lewis Center and local partners; commissioners agreed to help publicize services.
Julie Swindle, CEO of Families 1st, told the commission that the agency runs seven programs serving Belle Glade residents, including maternal and infant mental health, Healthy Families (child-abuse prevention), Child First (trauma services), infant mental health in Head Start, behavioral health in schools and kin-support services.
Swindle reported that Families 1st serves 401 clients — representing 113 households — in Belle Glade (ZIP code 33430), and presented strong 2025 outcomes: she said TOPA program families were 100% free from HIV and Healthy Families reported 100% of children free from abuse and neglect in one‑year follow-up. Swindle and commissioners discussed referral challenges: she said many referrals must route through the Lewis Center (Melissa McKinley's place) and shelter capacity and long waiting lists reduce local placements. "We're serving 401 clients, serving 113 households just alone here in Belle Glade," Swindle said, emphasizing outreach and local hiring.
Commissioners asked how to increase referrals and marketing; Mayor and commissioners asked staff and individual commissioners to work with Families 1st to improve local referral pathways and publicize services in churches and community groups. Swindle said Families 1st will provide local contact information and work with the city to expand referrals and awareness.
