First Things First Pima Regional partnership Council allocated
$13.4 million to serve children 0-5
Board allocated funds at meeting on Tuesday, August 6, 2008
TUCSON, Ariz. (September 22, 2008) First Things First – the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board - approved $13.4 million in First Things First funds for the 3 non-tribal councils in Pima County: South Pima Regional Partnership Council, North Pima Regional Partnership Council, Central Pima Regional Partnership Council and the 2 tribal councils in Pima County: Pascua Yaqui Tribe Regional Partnership Council and Tohono O’odham Nation Regional Partnership Council to create positive change for young children and their families in their community. There are 31 Regional Partnership Councils - voluntary governance bodies responsible for improving early childhood development and health outcomes for children zero through age five in neighborhoods and tribal lands in every county across the state. Regional Partnership Councils are determining local priorities for community needs or identified service gaps.
“Our lives are based on foundations laid in childhood. The most important time for growth, language, and social skills is the first 5 years of life,” said Dr. Andrew Arthur, Chair Central Pima Regional Partnership Council, “First Things First will assist families with helping their children lay strong foundations for growth, learning, and success in life.”
- Things First funds are generated by a statewide 80 cent tax on tobacco products.
- Regional Partnership Councils receive 81 percent of the total funds, while 10 percent of the funds are used for agency administrative costs and nine percent for statewide initiatives.
- Allocation for each region is based on census population numbers of children birth through 5 years old, with extra weight given to children in poverty.
- Funding will be distributed through a grant application process beginning in January of 2009 with grant awards beginning on July 1, 2009.
First Things First is creating an early childhood system that affords Arizona children an equal chance to reach their fullest potential, provide families with real choices about their children’s educational and developmental experiences, and engage every community in sharing the responsibility as well as enjoy the benefits of safe, healthy and productive residents.
“If we are to improve outcomes for Arizona's children, we have to dream about new ways to create a seamless system of high quality policies that support high quality EC education and care and high quality Early Childhood professional development programs. We also must groom new leaders in a thoughtful and well-planned way. First Things First is the perfect vehicle for making these dreams become realities,” said Marguerite Harmon, Vice-Chair Central Pima Regional Partnership Council.
The Regional Partnership Councils are comprised of 11 individuals who represent parents, early care and education, health, education, the faith-based community, business, philanthropy, and tribal communities, each member will serve an initial 2 or 4 year term. The North Pima Regional Partnership Council chairperson is Naomi Karp, vice-chairperson is Alia Sweis. The South Pima Regional Partnership Council chairperson is Anthony Bruno, vice-chairperson is Jane Kroesen. The Central Pima Regional Partnership Council is Andrew Arthur, vice-chairperson is Marguerite Harmon. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe Regional Partnership Council chairperson is Shanna Ioane Tautolo, vice-chairperson is Amalia Reyes. The Tohono O’odham Nation Regional Partnership Council chairperson is Louis Johnson, vice-chairperson is Mildred Manual.
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