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.
2,003
Population of young children (under age 6)
51%
Percentage of young children living in poverty
Priorities
The White Mountain Apache Tribe 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 support for children with special needs
- Supporting early literacy by connecting families and children to their language and culture
Regional Key Impact Highlights
[State Fiscal Year 2024]
Quality Preschool and Child Care
- 51 children birth to age 5 received a Quality First scholarship to attend high-quality preschools and child care programs
- 13 early childhood educators received college scholarships to pursue credentials and degrees that expand their knowledge and improve their qualifications for working with young children
Preventive Health
- 6 early childhood educators received child care health consultation or support in maintaining health and safety standards in early learning settings
State Fiscal Year 2024 Total Regional Program Expenditures
| Quality and Access | $453,644 |
| Family Support | $202,911 |
| Evaluation | $19,731 |
| Health | $18,239 |
| Community Awareness | $14,278 |
| Professional Development | $5,983 |
| Total | $714,786 |
First Things First Staff
Feather Sprengeler
Regional Director, White Mountain Apache Tribe
Ellen Felty
Administrative Specialist III - Northeast Region
Kymani Morris
Administrative Specialist II - Navajo/Apache & White Mountain Apache Tribe
Regional Office
