1976
The organization now known as Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County began as Youth Services Action Group with a focus on advocacy work.

1992
Children First is established as a program of the United Way of Asheville-Buncombe County.

1995
The Family Resource Center opens and provides food, clothing, and emergency supports for families living in the Emma Community.

1998
Children First becomes an independent non-profit and provides both direct services and public policy advocacy. It begins its Project POWER AmeriCorps program.

2003
Children First becomes the Buncombe County affiliate of Communities In Schools, a national dropout prevention network.

2007
Children First/CIS afterschool learning centers open and provide homework assistance for K-5th graders in under-resourced communities.

2011
Children First/CIS begins its Student Support Specialist program at Johnston Elementary, and expands over the next four years to include five schools in total.

2013
Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County is awarded official designation as a Nationally Accredited Affiliate Organization for Communities In Schools.