Member Profile: Kids FIRST

Established in 1994, Kids FIRST is a children’s advocacy center dedicated to providing compassionate care to children who have experienced abuse or witnessed violent crime. The Springfield Chamber connected with Jaclyn Lemonds, Development Director at Kids FIRST, to find out more about the organization.

Tell us a little about Kids FIRST
Kids FIRST is Lane County’s Children’s Advocacy Center, providing assessments for children who are victims of abuse or witnesses to violent crime. Each year, we serve approximately 600 to 800 children by offering forensic interviews, medical evaluations, victim advocacy, and trauma-focused mental health services—all in one child-friendly location, and at no cost to families. By bringing these services together under one roof, we help reduce the additional trauma children may experience when navigating multiple agencies after abuse has been reported.

In 2022, Kids FIRST expanded its services by launching an on-site mental health program, ensuring children and families have timely access to trauma-informed therapy as they begin the healing process.

Our work is made possible through a multidisciplinary team approach. We partner closely with law enforcement, child welfare, medical providers, prosecutors, and other community agencies to coordinate each child’s care and response. While many of our partners are government agencies, Kids FIRST is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, relying on grants, donations, and community support to provide these critical services for local children and families.

How did Kids FIRST start?
In the early 1990s, Lane County leaders recognized that children who disclosed abuse were often retraumatized by having to share their experiences repeatedly to law enforcement, child welfare, medical providers, prosecutors, and others. There had to be a better way.

Then-Lane County District Attorney Doug Harcleroad traveled to Huntsville, Alabama, home to the nation’s first Children’s Advocacy Center, to see firsthand how this new model was transforming the response to child abuse. Inspired by what he saw, he returned to Lane County with a vision to bring the same child-centered approach to our community — one that united professionals under a single roof so children could receive coordinated care without having to repeatedly relive their trauma.

That vision led to the founding of Kids FIRST in 1994. As one of the first 100 Children’s Advocacy Centers in the nation, Kids FIRST has spent more than 30 years ensuring children and families in Lane County receive compassionate, coordinated care while supporting the investigations that help keep them safe.

What services do you offer and what makes Kids FIRST different?
Kids FIRST provides forensic interviews, medical evaluations, victim advocacy, and trauma-focused mental health services for children who have experienced abuse or witnessed violent crime. We also offer prevention education and professional training to help our community better recognize, prevent, and respond to child abuse.

What makes Kids FIRST different is the way we bring these services together. Rather than asking families to navigate multiple appointments, agencies, and systems on their own, we coordinate care in one child-friendly location with a team of professionals working together on the child’s behalf.

Just as importantly, we recognize that every family’s journey looks different. Whether a caregiver is feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or simply doesn’t know what comes next, our role is to walk alongside them with compassion, dignity, and support. Our promise is simple: we meet families where they are. 

What do you like most about your work?
While the subject matter at Kids FIRST is undeniably difficult, what stands out most is the resilience of children. Every day, we get to witness hope in action!

It’s not uncommon for a child and caregiver to arrive feeling a bit nervous or uncertain about what lies ahead. Though, by the time they leave, there’s often a visible sense of relief. Whether it’s hearing that their body is healthy, being told that what happened wasn’t their fault, or simply feeling heard, those moments can be incredibly powerful. Watching children begin to reclaim their sense of safety and confidence is a reminder of why our work truly matters.

Any advice for others?
If you’re ever concerned about a child’s safety or well-being, don’t be afraid to make a report. You don’t need to have all the answers. Simply paying attention, listening without judgment, and reporting concerns when something doesn’t feel right can make a lasting difference in a child’s life. 

For those with children in their lives, there are simple everyday things you can do to help prevent abuse. One example is simply listening—especially when kids are telling you about the little things. When children know they’re heard in everyday moments, they’re more likely to come to you when something bigger doesn’t feel right. Those small conversations lay the foundation for the ones that matter most.

Anything else you’d like to share?
One of our favorite traditions happens when a child completes their therapy journey at Kids FIRST. Every graduation looks a little different — some children ask for a favorite treat, while others want a celebration.

For those who choose a celebration, our staff gathers in the lobby with pom-poms to cheer as they leave the building one last time. It’s a joyful moment that celebrates their courage, resilience, and the hard work they’ve put into healing. There are smiles, high-fives, and sometimes a few happy tears. It’s a simple tradition, but one that reminds all of us why hope is at the center of what we do.

Excitingly, we are also beginning renovations on our new therapy center later this summer. Located just across the street from our current facility, the space will allow us to expand our mental health services, reduce barriers to care, and provide more children with a dedicated place to begin their healing journey. As we move closer to the finish line, we’re continuing to rally community support through our $1 million Capital Campaign to help bring this important project to life.