First Responders Children's Foundation expands mental health program to Washington state

Washington, Sept. 3, 2026, First Responders Children's Foundation (FRCF), the nation’s sole nonprofit dedicated to serving the children and families of first responders, has announced the launch of its Mental Health and Resiliency Program in Washington state. This expansion brings mental health support to children of all first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, and corrections officers, across the state.

The program, which offers free, culturally-competent counseling, aims to address the unique emotional needs of children in first responder families. Currently, the program provides 24/7, confidential mental health counseling to children of first responders in nine other states, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. With the addition of Washington, the FRCF program will now serve children in 10 states.

"Today’s launch of our Mental Health and Resiliency Program in Washington underscores our commitment to supporting the children of first responders throughout the nation," said Jillian Crane, President and CEO of FRCF. "This expansion is a major milestone in our growth and will help ensure that these children have the support they need to thrive."

Kristin Cox, Behavioral Health Coordinator at the Seattle Fire Department, expressed her excitement about the new partnership. "FRCF's counseling program supports the unique emotional needs of children growing up in first responder families. Ensuring these kids have access to free, compassionate, and culturally-competent care is essential to their resilience and overall well-being."

Since its launch in 2022, the program has supported over 828 children, providing more than 5,000 hours of services from licensed mental health providers trained in supporting first responder children and families. In addition to counseling, FRCF offers a range of mental health and wellness resources, including parent coaching, full-day resiliency workshops, and family wellness retreats. These resources create a safe space for children to express their feelings, seek support, and build healthy coping skills.

The program’s expansion into Washington comes after a successful partnership with Centerstone, a nonprofit health system that provides mental health services for children, families, and adults with a specialized focus on first responders, military, and veterans. Centerstone's CEO, Anna Goletz, highlighted the importance of this partnership. "We have seen firsthand the unique challenges first responder families face and the meaningful impact timely, accessible support can have on the well-being of their children."

To learn more about the FRCF Mental Health & Resiliency program, visit 1strcf.org/mental-health.

For over 25 years, FRCF has been dedicated to addressing the specific needs of first responders and their families through scholarships, financial assistance grants, natural disaster relief, mental health resiliency, and community engagement. The Foundation was founded in response to the 9/11 attacks, when 800 children lost a first responder parent, and today supports all children of first responders across the country.