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Region Stories

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.

Weekly storytime helps shy Parker boy socialize and build reading skills

  • 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…

Quality First preschool in Goodyear prepares boy with foundational skills

  • Quality First

​​For Warner D’Cunah of Goodyear, the cost of enrolling his three children in West Valley Christian School is an investment in quality education. His…
sisters-reading-book

Bilingual books build early literacy and cultural knowledge for Peach Springs sisters

  • tribal

​​​After almost two years, 7-year-old Lena Montana and her little sister, Alyssa, 5, still carry around their bilingual children’s books filled with…
mom-and-son-smiling

Pinal grandparents find help to overcome toddler’s learning delays

  • Pinal

Carla Jones of Maricopa suspected that something was wrong when her grandson was just 2 years old. Little Kémon showed signs of learning delays, and mumbled…
grandparents-with-granddaughter

Grandparents rise to the challenge

  • grandparents

Proud parents of two young girls, Katelyn Redlin and her husband live in Maricopa but work during the day in Chandler. Soon after their second child,…
girls-with-food

Healthy Beginnings help Navajo Nation family meal plan and prepare healthy meals

  • tribal

When an injury forced Crystal Begay’s husband to leave his job, the stay-at-home mom began looking for programs and support that could help get their family…

District preschool helps prepare Tohono O’odham children for kindergarten

  • Quality First

​A preschool program at Indian Oasis Elementary School in Sells is providing quality early learning to children living on the Tohono O’odham Nation.In…
kids-graduating

Tohono O’odham Nation boy grows literacy skills and bonds with mom through daily reading

  • literacy

Daniella Parley wanted her son to be successful in school, but she didn’t know where to start. Gabriel Pablo was 3 years old when his mother heard about the…

Child care scholarship allows Whiteriver boy to prepare for kindergarten

  • Quality First

​​Brianne Endfield was determined to raise her son, Denahii, on her own and the right way.The 18-year-old, first-time mom was taking online classes for her…

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