FIRST THINGS FIRST APPROVES $48 MILLION EMERGENCY
EARLY CHILDHOOD SUPPORT PACKAGE
State board takes “swift and immediate action” for Arizona children and families
PHOENIX (February 24, 2009) First Things First (FTF) – the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board – has voted to approve an emergency early childhood support package of nearly $48 million. The funding is designed to keep families working and children safe. The plan approved today allows the rapid distribution of $24 million of discretionary money and another $24 million allocated to 31 Regional Partnership Councils around the state. These dollars will be used now rather than waiting until July 1st when they were planned to be expended.
The Board also instructed Executive Director, J. Elliott Hibbs, to send a letter to Governor Brewer and the Legislature urging them to quickly utilize the federal stimulus funds to re-instate services for families of young children.
“The first five years of life are critical to a child’s healthy brain development. All our dollars, including today’s stimulus funding, are targeted to ensure that all children enter kindergarten safe, healthy and ready to succeed. ,” said Hibbs. “ Arizona is in an economic crisis and First Things First is taking swift and immediate action to keep working families working while standing by the voters’ mandate to improve the lives of children birth to 5.”
The package was designed to immediately shore up the stability of working families and their children, prevent hunger in young children, and support families to prevent abuse and neglect. First Things First will seek emergency bid approval to release the funds rapidly.
The three focus areas include:
- $23.3 million to provide 4 months of child care scholarships to working families with children birth to 5, whose incomes are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- $500,000 to provide emergency food boxes for families with children birth to 5.
- $24 million to provide family support programs, including those designed to prevent abuse and neglect.
First Things First funds are derived from a tax on tobacco products that was approved through a ballot initiative in 2006. Funds are voter protected and dedicated for the express purpose of preparing all Arizona children birth to five to succeed in school and life.
More than 300 Regional Council volunteers, throughout the state of Arizona, determine how to invest in programs and services for children and families in their communities. At least 81 cents of every First Things First dollar is invested locally.
About First Things First Investing in early childhood; so every Arizona child can start school healthy and ready to succeed. www.azftf.gov
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