First Things First Southeast Maricopa Regional Partnership Council Allocated $8.4 Million To Serve Children 0-5
Mesa, Arizona (October 22, 2008) First Things First – the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board - approved $8.4 million in First Things First funds for the Southeast Maricopa 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.
“When it comes to child care, families should no longer have to sacrifice quality for affordability,” stated, Michael Cowan, VP of the Southeast Regional Partnership Council. “Access to high –quality child care should not be a dream, but a reality. High –quality childcare should be accessible for all children.”
- First 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.
"We know that most parents want the best possible outcomes for their children" explained Cowan, "we also know that most parents can become both more competent and confident in their critical roles as parents. For these reasons, the Southeast Maricopa Regional Partnership Council has chosen to underscore the responsibility of parents, families and communities by providing necessary resources to help parents do the best job possible."
The Southeast Maricopa Regional Partnership Council is comprised of 11 individuals who represent parents, early care and education, health, education, the faith-based community, business, and philanthropy, each member will serve an initial 2 or 4 year term: Beth Coons, Chair; Michael Cowan, Vice-Chair; Mary Baldwin, Christine Scarpati, Dale Fisher, Kimberly Robinson, Gary Auxier, Eileen Molzen, Dee Tamminen, David Wade, and Jack Dillenberg.
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