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.
1,530
Population of young children (under age 6)
65%
Percentage of young children living in poverty
Priorities
The Gila River Indian Community 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
- Strengthening families through voluntary home visiting
- Supporting access to healthcare for children
Regional Key Impact Highlights
[State Fiscal Year 2024]
Strengthening Families and Early Literacy
- 45 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
- 10 children birth to age 5 received a Quality First scholarship to attend high-quality preschools and child care programs
- 147 children attended preschools and child care programs participating in Quality First
Preventive Health
- 75 children received screenings to detect vision, hearing and developmental issues and prevent learning challenges later on
State Fiscal Year 2024 Total Regional Program Expenditures
| Family Support | $214,321 |
| Quality and Access | $207,511 |
| Health | $147,556 |
| Evaluation | $15,930 |
| Total | $585,317 |
First Things First Staff
Annette Sutfin
Sr. Director, Phoenix/GRIC Regional Area
Ember Tahy
Regional Director, Gila River Indian Community
Amber Martin
Administrative Specialist III, Phoenix/GRIC Regional Area
Regional Office
