What is KIDS FIRST about?

Interdisciplinary Evaluations

KIDS FIRST nurses evaluate each child for learning and behavior problems across all educational disciplines, and then recommend an individualized therapy plan to help improve the functional level of each child.

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Therapies

KIDS FIRST specialized speech, occupational and physical therapeutic services emphasize the development of basic skills, and support each child's ability to interact with family, friends and community.

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Developmental Intervention

Early Intervention services at KIDS FIRST are provided in a developmentally appropriate center-based setting with an individualized focus. Each child's treatment plan is developed and implemented by a team of parents and professionals.

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Specialized Interventions

As part of a child's treatment team, KIDS FIRST social workers meet with parents at the point of entry, aid with their child's transition into the program and provide continued support and advocacy throughout the child's tenure in the program.

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Nutritional Services

KIDS FIRST provides Nutrition Intervention Services for infants and preschool children. Nutrition staff includes a nutrition technology specialist and six master-level dietitians who travel to KIDS FIRST day clinics across Arkansas.

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Medical and Nursing Services

KIDS FIRST nurses provide day-to-day care of the children, including medications and treatments, health care monitoring, and coordination of care between the various members of the child's health care team.

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Family Centered Care

KIDS FIRST is Arkansas’s first pediatric day health care program for children with special health care needs.

Based at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Department of Pediatrics, KIDS FIRST offers a wide array of services under the direction of Department of Pediatrics faculty members.

Within 11 diverse communities in Arkansas, KIDS FIRST is the gateway to the clinical expertise needed by children birth to five facing developmental and medical challenges.

Success Story

Ethan Fedder with KIDS FIRST therapists Ethan Fedder is four years old. He does not walk or speak. He has a lot of tantrums, and he has difficulty paying attention for very long.

Looking at him, a stranger might not realize what a monumental journey this boy's family has undertaken, or how incredibly far he has come since he started KIDS FIRST.

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Families and KIDS FIRST

Our Commitment to you! Help us to know you and your family.

Tell us:

  • what works best with your child
  • when your child needs extra help
  • when there are changes in your family
  • about your family traditions

Ask us:

  • questions if you don’t understand
  • and offer suggestions so we understand

Visit whenever you can – YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!

Map of KIDS FIRST locations

Little Rock

Clinic | Program Operations Center
Address:
1919 W. 12th Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
Phone:
501.364.7510
Email:
Addie Higginbotham

Little Rock

Clinic | Program Operations Center
Address:
1919 W. 12th Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
Phone:
501.364.3620
1-800-374-3620
Email:
info@kids-first.cc

Fort Smith

Address:
6601 Phoenix Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone:
479-785-9091
Email:
Karen Tyler

Lowell

Address:
519 Latham Drive
Lowell, AR 72745
Phone:
479-750-0130
Email:
Erin Cole

Magnolia

Address:
301 West Calhoun
Magnolia, AR 71753
Phone:
870-234-1597
Email:
Tommye Doherty

Morrilton

Address:
100 Robert Fiser Drive
Morrilton, AR 71110
Phone:
501-354-1170
Email:
Andrea Holland

Mountain View

Address:
1005 Maple
Mountain View, AR 72560
Phone:
870-269-2110
Email:
Jeri Johnson

Newport

Address:
221 Lindley Lane
Newport, AR 72112
Phone:
870-523-2124
Email:
Sharron Emery

Pine Bluff

Address:
3450 W. 34th Street
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
Phone:
870-534-6067
Email:
Felecia Miller

Pocahontas

Address:
300 Camp Road
Pocahontas, AR 72455
Phone:
870-892-0027
Email:
Jennifer Ray

Searcy

Address:
118 Central Avenue
Searcy, AR 72143
Phone:
501-305-3305
Email:
Brenda Powers

Warren

Address:
206 N. Bragg Street
Warren, AR 71671
Phone:
870-226-7844
Email:
Kelly Rowell

Who Needs KIDS FIRST? 

Enrolling children from birth to age five with special needs. more »

View Job Opportunities 

You can make a big difference in the life of a small child. more »

2009 Annual Conference 

This Year's Topic: Special Needs in the Early Years. more »

Award-Winning Curriculum 

Putting KIDS FIRST: A Nutrition & Physical Activity Curriculum. more »

Go to UAMS Pediatrics