Kids FIRST

Kids FIRST Kids FIRST serves as Lane County's Children's Advocacy Center. Hope & healing starts here. The interviews are held in one of our child friendly video rooms.

Our primary goal is to make children feel safe, comfortable and supported while we provide the following services in a welcoming and child-friendly environment:

Recorded Interviews: Once a report of abuse is made to the proper authorities a child may be brought to Kids FIRST for an interview. Trained victim advocates, Child Protective Services, Law Enforcement Agencies and our Forensic Interviewe

r work with children ant their caregivers. The need for multiple interviews is reduced by recording the child's interview. Medical Exams: It may be appropriate to have the child examined by a specially-trained physician in a child-friendly medical room. The exam helps determine the child's medical and emotional needs and gather evidence. Victim Assistance: An advocate provides support and guidance to the child and his or her non-offending family members throughout the judicial process. Referrals: Because it's important to begin the healing process immediately, the advocate makes sure that the child and supportive family members get information and referral services to help with legal, financial, mental and physical health needs. Grand Jury Hearings: Law Enforcement authorities determine whether the case should be brought to the District Attorney's office for review. If the case is accepted for prosecution, Kids' FIRST is available for all meetings between the child and involved professionals. The grand jury also meets at Kids' FIRST, which allows the child to remain in familiar, comfortable surroundings. Educational Support Groups: We offer a free educational support group for parents of sexually abused children. Many parents of abused children find it comforting to learn and talk with others facing similar circumstances. Domestic Violence Witness Intervention: Children who witness domestic violence are interviewed at Kids FIRST and offered medical exams if needed. We provide immediate crisis intervention, information and referrals, resource development and safety planning for the children and survivors. Kids FIRST is the first child advocacy center in the nation to offer such services to our community.

We're Hiring! Kids FIRST has two positions open on our team.The Medical Assistant/Case Manager supports clinic operation...
05/29/2026

We're Hiring! Kids FIRST has two positions open on our team.

The Medical Assistant/Case Manager supports clinic operations, including coordinating Kids FIRST’s Karly’s Law response, maintaining communication with community partners, managing electronic health records, processing external case reports, and more.

The Victim Advocate/Case Manager provides crisis intervention to victims, including emotional support during the investigation and prosecution process. They assess a victim's needs and refers victims and their families to appropriate community services for assistance, act as an advocate for victims within the community and criminal justice system, confer with law enforcement officials and prosecutors on the status of cases, and more.

Make an invaluable difference in the lives of children. Learn more and apply now.

https://kidsfirst.applicantpool.com/jobs/

Kids FIRST will be closed Monday, May 25, in honor of Memorial Day.
05/25/2026

Kids FIRST will be closed Monday, May 25, in honor of Memorial Day.

There's something so inspiring about kids caring about kids.👏Kids FIRST was honored to receive two Community 101 Grants ...
05/22/2026

There's something so inspiring about kids caring about kids.👏

Kids FIRST was honored to receive two Community 101 Grants this month! The first was $1,500 from Riddle Jr/Sr High School students for advocacy supplies for the children we serve, like snacks, journals, menstrual products and more. The second, pictured here, was $2,500 from Kalapuya High School students in support of our mental health capital project - specifically, the fixtures in our soon-to-be new therapy space.

Community 101 funding is distributed to schools statewide by the Oregon Community Foundation to give students an opportunity to get involved in their communities through grantmaking and volunteering. As they do, they're getting the opportunity to learn about civic engagement, critical thinking, public speaking, community involvement, and more. During the 2024-25 school year, students across Oregon granted more than $200,000 to 97 nonprofits they researched and chose themselves.

Thank you for being the incredible young leaders you are, all!

Bethel School District Riddle School District Oregon Community Foundation

Parents & caregivers don’t have to wait for challenging behavior or mood changes to support the mental health of kids. I...
05/15/2026

Parents & caregivers don’t have to wait for challenging behavior or mood changes to support the mental health of kids. In fact, when trusted adults check in regularly, kids learn how to communicate their feelings, feel safe to share, and pick up the skills they need to navigate the tough days. It's Mental Health Awareness Month, but it's always a great time to ask, "How's life, really?"

☎️ If you or your child are experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to the National Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.

ICYMI: While most don't know how prevalent child abuse is in our community, there are folks who work to raise awareness ...
05/08/2026

ICYMI: While most don't know how prevalent child abuse is in our community, there are folks who work to raise awareness and help protect and heal kids. During KLCC's Oregon On the Record, Michael Dunne interviewed Kids FIRST Executive Director Patty Perlow during Child Abuse Prevention Month about what she's seen throughout her career of protecting children in Lane County.

📻 Check out the interview: https://www.klcc.org/podcast/oregon-on-the-record/2026-04-29/from-prosecutor-to-protector-former-lane-county-da-leads-kids-first

The more we know, the better we can help children heal. ✏️The Kids FIRST direct service team regularly participates in t...
05/01/2026

The more we know, the better we can help children heal. ✏️

The Kids FIRST direct service team regularly participates in trainings and conferences to stay looped in on the latest information about child abuse and human trafficking.

This week, members of our medical, advocacy, and mental health teams attended the Oregon Child Abuse & Human Trafficking Summit in Portland, where they had the opportunity to learn about topics like trends in generative AI, building a healing framework for human trafficking survivors, vulnerable populations needing culturally specific support, and much more.

Children's Center

As we round out Child Abuse Prevention Month, we want to say thank you. 💙 So many community members, businesses, organiz...
05/01/2026

As we round out Child Abuse Prevention Month, we want to say thank you. 💙 So many community members, businesses, organizations, media, government agencies and families took time to remind us that preventing abuse takes care and awareness. A special thank you to McMenamins High Street for hosting friends & family night this week, pictured here.

Prevent child abuse all year, not just in April. Remember: help your child identify 5 people as safe spaces to talk to. Use the anatomically correct names of body parts when talking to your kids. Care for your neighbors so together we can keep kids safe. And if you suspect a child is being abused, call 855-503-SAFE (7233).

City of Eugene Government City of Springfield, Oregon Government

Kids FIRST Board Member Jamie Louie-Smith (right) and Heather Gabbert (left), both of Summit Bank, are medal winners to...
04/29/2026

Kids FIRST Board Member Jamie Louie-Smith (right) and Heather Gabbert (left), both of Summit Bank, are medal winners to us!

Kids FIRST was a part of the Run for a Cause program provided by the Eugene Marathon this year, and it was incredible. To gain access to their races, 18 participants raised more than $6,000 for Kids FIRST's intervention services. Jamie and Heather were among those Kids FIRST fundraisers who crossed the finish line. They raced, but we won. Thank you for supporting kids in the community!

Eugene Marathon .bank Summit Bank

Ready for a night out? Join Kids FIRST at McMenamins High Street for Friends & Family Night on Tuesday, April 28 at 5-11...
04/22/2026

Ready for a night out? Join Kids FIRST at McMenamins High Street for Friends & Family Night on Tuesday, April 28 at 5-11 pm.

⭐50% of your dine-in purchase will be donated to Kids FIRST!

The turnout is always incredible early in the evening, so we encourage you to show up a little later too. What a great way to bring attention to Child Abuse Prevention Month. 💙 Thank you McMenamins High Street!

McMenamins Pubs, Breweries & Historic Hotels

Thank you for being such fantastic bunnies each and every year, CLF Network! 🙌💕
04/21/2026

Thank you for being such fantastic bunnies each and every year, CLF Network! 🙌💕

Address

299 East 18th Avenue
Eugene, OR
97401

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15416823938

Website

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