Happy 2025! Normally, this would be a time to reflect on some of the successes we’ve experienced over the past year in early childhood in Arizona. For example, we had a step in the right direction with the Legislature’s investment of $12 million in child care assistance through the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Lawmakers’ recognition of the importance of early care and education for Arizona’s youngest children and the state’s economy is reassuring.
But we can’t afford to wait any longer to make early childhood education a larger priority in Arizona.
As Gov. Katie Hobbs highlighted earlier this week in her State of the State address, child care costs are out of control, and one in four families who need child care can’t access it. Hobbs is proposing investments called the Working Families Child Care Act that will lower child care costs for working families and expand access to providers through a public-private partnership.
Bold action like this is needed since it’s clear that the earlier we invest in children, the better the outcomes. Quality early childhood programs help kids be more prepared for kindergarten, do better in school, graduate high school and be less likely to be involved with the criminal justice system or require assistance from social welfare programs later.
These are the kinds of programs that First Things First funds across the state. Yet, while the needs of young children continue to grow, First Things First is facing a dramatic decline in tobacco revenue, the agency’s primary source of funding. Annual revenues have decreased by nearly 40%.
This means less funding for quality child care, less funding for parenting education classes, and less funding for resources for families. Less funding for Arizona’s babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
FTF-funded programs and services each year reach around 133,000 young children, families and early childhood professionals. Over 70 organizations depend on this funding in communities across the state to keep providing services to children and families.
Our children’s future depends on continued investments made in their early years. Replacement revenue is needed to prevent cuts to these critical programs and services. A proposed bill this session has the potential to provide a strong start for young children by capturing up to $50 million in revenue from vapor and nicotine products to continue funding early childhood programs. A portion would also provide long-term funding for innovative solutions to our state’s child care crisis.
I hope you’ll join me and our partners in informing policy leaders and business and community leaders about the critical importance of early childhood investments. As the new year begins, let’s work together to ensure Arizona’s children get a strong start.
Connect with us to learn how Arizona’s child care crisis impacts families, businesses and economic growth. Visit our Advocate for Early Childhood page to learn about Arizona’s latest bills and policies related to early childhood. Together, we can all be part of Arizona’s promise for our state’s youngest generation!