Triad First In Families (TFIF) is one of twelve chapters of First In Families of North Carolina, a family support program whose mission is to help people with disabilities and their families achieve their goals and realize their dreams.  Triad First In Families serves Forsyth, Davie and Stokes counties, and is funded primarily by state tax dollars.  We work to leverage those state dollars by partnering with businesses, churches, civic organizations and individuals in order to provide for the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  Triad First In Families is not a cash assistance program – much of the support is in the form of referrals to other community resources and gathering donated items – but money may be available for needs where no other funding can be found. 

Partnerships
We form a partnership with the people we serve to assist them in obtaining what they need to realize their dreams or achieve their goals. TFIF then partners with local agencies, businesses, and citizens by:
-      Making a referral to an appropriate agency. 
-      Broadcasting the need for items or services over our “Dream Network” to seek a donation.  The Dream
       Network is an e-mail network that calls on agencies, churches, civic organizations, businesses and interested
       individuals.  
-      Negotiating with companies to get the lowest possible price, if the item / service has not been donated.  
       Bartering or exchanging goods/services for the needed item/service. 
       In order for everyone to be productive, contributing members of the community, we must all work together.

Eligibility
-      Triad First In Families supports any family in which one family member has a developmental disability or
       traumatic brain injury. 
-      The family or individual must be living in their own rented or owned home, not in a group home. 
-      Total household income cannot exceed $65,000 per year.

Mission Statement
First In Families helps people with disabilities and their families achieve their goals and realize their dreams.

Guiding Principles
Consumer Leadership.  People with disabilities and/or their families are the experts regarding their own goals and dreams, and should be respected as such by everyone.
Equality and Interdependence.  People with disabilities and/or their families should have the same rights, responsibilities, and opportunities to contribute and participate as all other residents of the community.  Communities have a responsibility to help make this a reality. 
Partnerships.  All community members should work together to provide an effective support base for people with disabilities and/or their families. 
System Response.  Providers should be responsive to the direction given them by the people they serve.