Region Stories from Colorado River Indian Tribes

These stories illustrate how early childhood programs and services funded by First Things First make a difference for young children and families in communities across Arizona.

Culturally tailored books to showcase Native languages for children in the Colorado River Indian Tribes community

January 27, 2024
Colorado River Indian Tribes language preservation

The FTF Colorado River Indian Tribes Regional Partnership Council funds native language preservation strategies to give parents and caregivers tools to promote their children’s language development that are culturally appropriate. Read More

Nutrition Obesity and Physical Activity, preschooler posing in front of a lake holding a snack

Parker family gets physical

12/16/2022
Colorado River Indian Tribes

The FTF Colorado River Indian Tribes Regional Partnership Council funds the Nutrition, Obesity and Physical Activity (NOPA) program in Parker, where Aspa’s…

Parker library provides early literacy support during COVID-19 to young boy online and at home

11/3/2021
tribal

The FTF Colorado River Indian Tribe Regional Council funds the Colorado River Indian Tribes Library in Parker, Arizona.

mom and her son standing with his teacher

New grant provides quality early learning to kids of working families living in Parker

12/21/2020
early learning

When a local child care center in Parker closed, the FTF Colorado River Indian Tribes Regional Partnership Council stepped in.

Daris Laffoon is the 2020 Colorado River Indian Tribes Region Champion

7/30/2020
champion

Daris Laffoon has been selected as the 2020 First Things First Colorado River Indian Tribes Champion for Young Children.

Gaining a first-time classroom experience before the first day of school

2/19/2020
school readiness

FTF’s Transition to Kindergarten Strategy is designed to help children who have not had the benefit of attending preschool to get classroom experience.

Summer Transition to Kindergarten program helps preschoolers from the Colorado River Indian Tribes…

11/15/2019
tribal

The program has proven to be very successful. Families have made a great effort to attend each class, and it has encouraged parents to learn with their…

Mariah Sharpe is Colorado River Indian Tribes’ 2018 Champion for Young Children

7/2/2018
champion

Mariah Sharpe has been selected as the 2018 Colorado River Indian Tribes’ First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local…

Quality First program helps Parker siblings take center stage with learning

1/10/2018
school readiness

Amanda Lucas remembers that shortly after enrolling her 2 ½-year-old daughter Layla at the SonShine Center in Parker, the toddler was ready to take center…

Weekly storytime helps shy Parker boy socialize and build reading skills

11/2/2017
school readiness

Chase Nelson started kindergarten with a bigger vocabulary and more self-confidence thanks to the Tuesdays he spent at the library with his mom.Andrea…