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.
28,512
Population of young children (under age 6)
14%
Percentage of young children living in poverty
Priorities
The Southwest 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 family, friend and neighbor care
- Strengthening families through voluntary home visiting
Regional Key Impact Highlights
[State Fiscal Year 2024]
Strengthening Families and Early Literacy
- 3528 parents and caregivers received flexible, family-focused and culturally-responsive information, resources and referrals to services and parenting activities family resource centers
Quality Preschool and Child Care
- 259 children birth to age 5 received a Quality First scholarship to attend high-quality preschools and child care programs
- 3345 children attended preschools and child care programs participating in Quality First
Preventive Health
- 285 adults attended classes on the importance of nutrition and physical activity for the healthy development of young children
State Fiscal Year 2024 Total Regional Program Expenditures
| Quality and Access | $1,738,766 |
| Family Support | $1,546,993 |
| Health | $742,185 |
| Evaluation | $117,458 |
| Community Awareness | $32,000 |
| Total | $4,177,403 |
First Things First Staff
Cynthia Gandara
Administrative Specialist II - NW & SW Maricopa
Francis Pacaja
Program Coordination Specialist - NW & SW Maricopa
Regional Office
Thunderbird Office Park
14050 N. 83rd Ave., Suite #140
Peoria, AZ 85381
