Campbell and Davis Calif., - February 3, 2009 - Two of California's most respected leaders in innovative services for children and families - EMQ Children & Family Services (EMQ) based in Campbell and FamiliesFirst, Inc. (FFI) based in Davis - announced today that they have joined forces to better serve California's children in crisis. The merger creates the largest children's agency in California, serving approximately 18,000 people in 30 counties who are recovering from trauma, drug abuse and mental illness. The new agency is called EMQ FamiliesFirst and is led by CEO Jerry Doyle, known for his work in transforming children's services in the state.

EMQ FamiliesFirst is headquartered in Campbell with offices around the state, including continued operations in Davis. Under the leadership of Chairman of the Board Roger Barney and President Darrell Evora, the agencies' boards and support departments have been combined. Programs and services operated by the new agency will continue to serve families and children from both agencies as well as allowing for expansion in services.

"Now more than ever, agencies need to work together to transform children's services in the state of California," said Darrell Steinberg, president pro tem of the California State Senate. "This alliance brings together some of the state's top experts in the field of children's services and can only improve the quality of care we offer children and families."

"Both agencies have been in the business of helping kids and families for decades," said Jerry Doyle, CEO of EMQ Children & Family Services. "We've amassed an impressive pool of talented staff, together built fantastic programs, and our proven results speak for themselves. Joining together means we'll have a larger voice to advocate for children in need."

EMQ Children & Family Services helps children and family members around California with services such as counseling, drug abuse prevention, foster care and mental health treatment. EMQ is credited with bringing Wraparound services to California. Wraparound is a family-focused philosophy of care where public agencies and program staff work together to keep families intact, safe and successful. The program has been recognized nationally and now is available statewide.

"EMQ FamiliesFirst now offers an unparalleled level of caring and experience to those who need it most," said Walter Grubbs, CEO of FamiliesFirst, Inc. "Together we achieve economies of scale and so can offer a wider array of cost-effective programs for children and families around the state."

FamiliesFirst, Inc. provides a wide array of children's services, including community-based mental health and social services, therapy, foster care and adoption services, residential treatment, a crisis nursery and a non-public school. FFI has also received state and national awards for its programs.

EMQ FamiliesFirst does whatever it takes to help children and families in crisis. The agency is recognized for innovative mental health treatment, foster care and social services that help families recover from trauma, abuse, addiction and poverty and to rebuild their lives. The agency fights for sustainable change and advocates for improvements in the local, state and federal systems that serve children in need. For more information, please visit www.emqff.org.

Editorial Contacts:
Kristine Austin, EMQ FamiliesFirst
(408) 718-8446   kaustin@emq.org

Sandy Smith for EMQ FamiliesFirst
(310) 560-8372   sandy@aldrichpr.com

Editors note: Photos of executives are available for download at: www.emqff.org/press/faq/familiesfirst.shtml