About KFF
Mission
To assist and train children with Autism and other developmental disabilities, to achieve their potential and to live an integrated, independent, and the most productive life as possible in a comfortable, loving home.
Vision
Our goal is to equip our kids with the best opportunity to live life to the fullest, experiencing community integration, accomplishments within their school and development, and family reunification whenever possible.
Values
Kids Come First.
Kids are our top priority. We go to great lengths to ensure kids are safe, healthy, and happy. Our track record shows we have successfully served hundreds of children and their families over the years as we continue to grow.
Our History
Kids First Foundation was established in 1989. From the outset, we have sought to help the children that very few others wanted to work with because they were too difficult, aggressive, or disruptive. We help by giving them a stable environment that will train them for the future by teaching them the skills to succeed.
The management of the foundation has been overseen by Ihab and Vivian ELShahawi since 2008. They specialize in working with individuals with Autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities who present with severe behavioral challenges.
Currently Kids First Foundation is expanding its services for children with Autism and other intellectual disabilities throughout Southern California and Bogota, Columbia. We also serve 60 children in Bogota, Colombia diagnosed with the same disabilities.
Board of Directors
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Ihab Shahawi
President
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Vivian El Shahawi
Children’s Advocate
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Alejandro Arcila
Service Provider
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Robert Hahn
Senior Partner at Gould, Hahn, & Reinhardt Professional Law Corporation
Staff
Approach & Impact
We truly believe that every individual should be given the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. This is achieved through proper care, supervision and training supported by a positive behavioral program, well-trained staff, and a consistent value for choice. KFF strives to help individuals live a normalized, integrated, independent and least restrictive life as possible, offering the same opportunities for growth, support and success that anyone else may have.
The location of our homes allows access to various community training and integration opportunities providing extensive recreational, educational and leisure activities for our residents.
We utilize Positive Behavior Supports which involve a systematic approach to preventing or reducing challenging behaviors, with the intention of identifying advantageous skills and supports to assist in the individual becoming more adaptive to their surroundings, thereby increasing the individual’s quality of life.
The general goals for our residents are: become socially integrated into the community, reduce or eliminate all targeted maladaptive socially inappropriate behaviors, and build their confidence and self-esteem. Other person centered goals are pursued as well.
Agencies We Work With
Financials