Families First

NEWLY REVISED FOR 2023-2024! The FCCLA Families First program is designed to help young people explore, understand, and
appreciate diverse aspects of families and family life. Families First recognizes the need for
FCCLA members to create strong family relationships where skills are developed, differences
are accepted, rights are respected, and support is offered. The program is divided into five stand-alone units:

• Dynamics – Understanding families and family relationships
• Balance – Enabling young people and families to prioritize self-care and overcome obstacles
• Development – Learning how to nurture and care for children
• Safety – Prioritizing and practicing safety within families
• Skills – Developing strategies to be a good family member

National Awards: Top Middle School – $ 1,000; Top High School – $1,000; Runner-Up Award – $500

Click the button below to link to the national FCCLA website section with additional information on the program awards application process.


Awards from Virginia FCCLA

The Virginia Association recognizes those chapters that submit the complete program award application online to national FCCLA by their March 1 deadline. Names of the submitting chapters are printed in the state conference program and appear on the screen during a conference general session, attendees receive a program ribbon for their conference name badges, and the chapter receives a program award certificate. Click the button below to open a document with instructions and information on Virginia’s program award process.

Direct questions about Virginia’s recognition for national programs participation to Deborah Will at debbiewillFCCLA@comcast.net.


Congratulations to:
Strasburg High School – 2023 National Families First High School Winner

2023 Virginia Award Winners in Families First

Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School
Alleghany High School
Broadway High School
Central High School – Shenandoah
Colonial Forge High School
Culpeper Middle School
East Rockingham High School
Eastern View High School
Fort Defiance High School
Franklin County High School Eagles
Gate City High School
Giles High School
Grayson County CATE Center
James Madison High School
James Wood High School
Lee Career Center
Liberty Christian Academy

Luray High School
Millbrook High School
Mountain View High School – Shenandoah
Mountain View High School – Stafford
Norfolk Tech – A Day
Norfolk Tech – B Day
Ocean Lakes High School
Page County Middle School
Patriot High School
Riverheads High School
Rockbridge County High School Wildcats
Rye Cove High School
Signal Knob Middle School
Spring Hill Academy
Strasburg High School
Stuarts Draft Middle School
Turner Ashby High School
Wilbur S. Pence Middle School
Wilson Memorial High School

The Japanese Exchange is part of the FCCLA Families First program. Members may receive a full scholarship to spend next summer in Japan. They will live with a Japanese family and visit famous sites. This scholarship is available to FCCLA members who are high school sophomores and juniors.

Because of the worldwide pandemic, this program has not been available. Normally, the application is available from the national FCCLA website and is due to Youth for Understanding and FCCLA in early January. Detailed information will be available from national FCCLA as plans evolve. That information can be accessed at: http://www.fcclainc.org/programs/japanese-exchange.php

Carl Sandburg Middle School
Families First Project