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.
10,894
Population of young children (under age 6)
49%
Percentage of young children living in poverty
Priorities
The Navajo Nation 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
- Supporting the needs of families with children that have complex needs
“Children are a blessing from Diyin Dine’e. We have a duty as Dine people to build a strong foundation for our children. It is our responsibility to love them, teach them and instill cultural values in their early years. The cognitive and social emotional skills they build today will help them grow into healthy, successful adults.”
Chris Deschene
Attorney & Business Owner
Regional Key Impact Highlights
[State Fiscal Year 2024]
Strengthening Families and Early Literacy
- 527 children attended preschools and child care programs participating in Quality First
- 23 early childhood educators received college scholarships to improve their qualifications for working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers
Preventive Health
- 25 early childhood educators received child care health consultation or support in maintaining health and safety standards in early learning settings
- 274 children monitored to receive appropriate screenings to detect vision, hearing and developmental issues to prevent learning challenges later on
- 33 families were provided with knowledge, strategies, supports and services to nurture children who have not reached age-specific developmental milestones
State Fiscal Year 2024 Total Regional Program Expenditures
| Quality and Access | $1,964,057 |
| Health | $769,878 |
| Family Support | $259,520 |
| Evaluation | $89,558 |
| Community Awareness | $58,976 |
| Professional Development | $7,482 |
| Total | $3,149,471 |
First Things First Staff
Ellen Felty
Administrative Specialist III - Northeast Region
Jacquelynn Yazzie
Administrative Specialist II - Northeast Region
Rodina Jordan-Dahozy
Program Coordination Specialist - Navajo Nation
Sharrisa Ben
Program Coordination Specialist - Navajo Nation
Regional Office
Tsehootsooi Dine Bi’Olta
100 Chee Dodge Dr.
Window Rock, AZ 86515
