First Things First Central Phoenix Regional Partnership Council: Bringing Much Needed Early Services and Supports to Young Children and their Families
Phoenix, Arizona (December 29, 2008) - How can we best ensure that young children grow up healthy and ready to succeed? That question was not only asked, but answered by a group of volunteers in the Central Phoenix area. These volunteers are part of 31 eleven-person Regional Partnership Councils statewide. They recently identified needed investments in children ages 0-5 and their families in the Central Phoenix area. They also selected funding priorities where First Things First monies will be invested in 2009.
Central Phoenix Regional Partnership Council Highlights:
After conducting local assessments of the needs of young children and their families, the First Things First Central Phoenix Regional Partnership Council announced their funding priorities. Beginning July 1, 2009, more than $11 million dollars ($11,172,677) will be invested in the Central Phoenix area. The following are just some of the highlights of the funded strategies that will impact children 0-5:
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Early Literacy – First Things First monies will be invested locally to help foster literacy development, so that young children come to Kindergarten ready to learn to read.
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Health Screenings-Children in targeted areas in Maricopa County will receive dental, hearing, vision, and developmental screenings to identify undetected health needs and connect them to appropriate services.
Scholarships and Training – First Things First monies will be invested in scholarships and training for early childhood professionals. Research suggests that such investments help improve outcomes for the young children in their care.
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Quality First!- Central Phoenix Regional Partnership Council invested in the creation of a quality improvement and rating system (called Quality First!) for early care and education providers. Monies will be invested to help improve child care, and provide information to families on assessing quality care.
Outreach and information - Monies will be dedicated to enroll children that are eligible for health and insurance services, but are currently underserved.
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Family Crisis Intervention-New monies will be dedicated to help families in crisis connect to needed services, including counseling and respite. Such supports are aimed at helping families avoid abuse and neglect of their young children. Other monies will be invested to help families connect with and receive needed supports, such as food assistance and public health insurance.
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Home Visiting Programs – Low income families with young children will be supported through a variety of home visiting programs that will provide information and referral to appropriate services in the areas of child development and health.
Central Phoenix Regional Partnership Council members include: Judi Gottschalk, Chair(School Administrator), Theresa Gonzales, Vice-Chair (At Large), Juman Abujbara (Business), Randal Christensen (Parent), Marilee Dal Pra (Philanthropy), Joyce Hoie (At Large), Giff Loda (Health Services Provider), Marsha Porter (At Large), Wesley Relf (Faith-Based), Ginger Ward (Child Care Provider), Susan Wilkins (Educator)
For more information, go to our website at www.azftf.gov
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