Arizona’s early childhood agency represents a commitment Arizonans made to our youngest children – that they would have the support they need to start school healthy and ready to succeed. Many young children in Arizona face significant barriers to their success, including poverty, trauma and lack of access to needed resources.
58,035
Population of young children (under age 6)
12%
Percentage of young children living in poverty
Priorities
The East Maricopa Regional Partnership Council makes strategic investments to support the healthy development and learning of the young children in the region. The regional council’s priorities include:
- Scholarships for children to access high-quality early learning
- Improving the quality of child care and preschool programs
- Strengthening families through parenting education, voluntary home visiting and family resource centers.
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“There is a large body of research that demonstrates how important a child’s early years are for their future success. As parents, families, caregivers, and educators, we can support children’s growth, just by reading, singing, and playing with them every day. As a community, we can support families and young children, ensuring they get access to the resources and support they need to lay a strong foundation for our collective future.”
Dr. Lenay Dunn |
Regional Key Impact Highlights
[State Fiscal Year 2024]
Strengthening Families and Early Literacy
- 8037 families or caregivers served by receiving referrals or by participating in activities at family resource centers
- 203 families with young children participated in voluntary home visiting programs proven to reduce parental stress levels, increase connections to community supports, and improve children’s cognitive, motor, behavioral and social-emotional development
Quality Preschool and Child Care
- 563 children birth to age 5 received a Quality First scholarship to attend high-quality preschools and child care programs
- 182 child care and preschool providers were committed to continuous quality improvement of their early learning programs through Quality First
Preventive Health
- 93 early childhood educators received child care health consultation or support in maintaining health and safety standards in early learning settings
State Fiscal Year 2024 Total Regional Program Expenditures
| Quality and Access | $4,370,811 |
| Family Support | $2,051,039 |
| Health | $798,803 |
| Evaluation | $198,971 |
| Community Awareness | $68,977 |
| Total | $7,488,602 |
First Things First Staff
Regional Office
1839 S Alma School Rd, Ste 100
Mesa, AZ 85210
