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
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
