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.
4,416
Population of young children (under age 6)
38%
Percentage of young children living in poverty
Priorities
The Santa Cruz 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:
- Strengthening families through voluntary home visiting and family resource centers
- Scholarships for children to access high-quality early learning
- Strengthening families through voluntary home visiting
State Fiscal Year 2024 Total Regional Program Expenditures
| Family Support | $649,415 |
| Quality and Access | $445,689 |
| Evaluation | $32,098 |
| Health | $24,939 |
| Community Awareness | $9,000 |
| Total | $1,161,141 |
First Things First Staff
Jessica Harrington
Sr. Director, Southeast Regional Area
Christine Sbragia
Administrative Specialist II, Santa Cruz
Regional Office
1145 W. Frontage Rd., Suite 1
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
