Each May, Mental Health Awareness Month inspires reflection on how we understand, support, and invest in mental health in our own communities. It is also a reminder that mental health begins early – in the earliest, most formative years of a young child’s life and in the relationships that surround them. For 25 years, Child First has been grounded in this understanding, supporting young children and caregivers to create a foundation for well-being and stability.
In 2001, Child First began with a simple but transformative idea – when you care for both a young child and their caregiver together, addressing emotional and mental health alongside basic needs, you can change outcomes in meaningful ways. The program first launched at Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut as an ambitious, relationship-centered model. Since then, Child First, now a program of Changent, has grown into a nationally recognized, evidence-based intervention that reaches families through nearly 30 partner organizations across seven states.
Changent recently gathered Child First leaders, partners, and champions to commemorate the program’s 25th Anniversary in New Haven, Connecticut, where some of the first Child First trainings took place. The event brought together founding voices, legislative advocates, community champions, funders, clinicians, and Changent staff, all united by a shared commitment to children and families. It was a reflection on how far the program has come and on what it takes to support family mental health in meaningful, sustained ways.
During the celebration, Changent honored Child First founder Dr. Darcy Lowell, MD, with the North Star Award, recognizing her lifetime of service in support of children and their caregivers. Dr. Lowell’s vision and persistence shaped the program from its earliest days, grounded in the belief that healing begins with trust, consistency, and human connection. Dr. Lowell’s leadership has helped advance a more compassionate approach to mental health care that meets families where they are, with respect and dignity.
Dr. Darcy Lowell was recognized with the North Star Award, presented by Dr. Meghan López, Chief Program & Network Officer of Changent.
This approach has guided Child First’s growth over the past quarter century. The program reaches more than 2,500 families each year, offering relationship-based care to children and caregivers facing trauma and adversity. Backed by rigorous research, starting with a randomized controlled trial in 2011, Child First shows lasting results – children show meaningful improvements in mental health, and caregivers experience reduced stress and stronger connections with their children.
Behind these outcomes are real stories: families navigating hardship, children experiencing stability, caregivers rediscovering hope after crisis. Child First meets families where they are, offering clinical expertise and a steady, compassionate presence.
This milestone comes at a critical moment. As Mental Health Awareness Month calls attention to the importance of access, early intervention, and sustained support, the work of Child First feels especially urgent. Families today face increasing pressures, and the systems meant to support them are under strain. Meeting these challenges requires continued commitment to solutions that center relationships and respond to the realities that families face. Twenty-five years in, Child First stands as a powerful reminder that when we invest in relationships and mental wellbeing early, children and families can heal, grow, and thrive.
“What began in one hospital in Connecticut, with one bold idea, now reaches thousands of families across seven states. But what is most striking is what never changed: the belief that healing begins in relationships, and that families deserve to be met with care and dignity at the moments that matter the most. That is the legacy of Child First, and it is what we carry into the next 25 years.” – Dr. Meghan López, Chief Program & Network Officer, Changent
About Changent
Changent is a national organization dedicated to improving health outcomes by scaling and supporting data-driven programs that create lasting, multigenerational impact for children, families and communities. As the umbrella organization for Child First and Nurse-Family Partnership®, Changent works to ensure every child and family has access to the resources they need to thrive. Through innovative partnerships, inclusive care and a commitment to long-term transformation, Changent empowers healthier futures for generations to come.