Frequently Answered Questions

Early childhood is considered from birth through age five.

By law, the AZECDH Board must use the best information available to count children and allocate funds based on those counts. Census 2000 data will be used for determination of the child count since it is the only source of data consistent across all of Arizona.

• Non-profit 501c3 organizations providing services in Arizona (both secular and faith-based) • Units of Arizona government (local, county and state entities as well as schools and school districts) • Federally recognized Tribal governments or entities providing services within Arizona • Arizona institutions of higher learning (colleges and universities) • Private organizations providing services in Arizona All potential applicants must demonstrate organizational, fiscal and programmatic capacity to meet the requirements described in the scopes of work listed in Requests for Grant Applications.

An RFGA is a Request for Grant Applications. It is the formal competitive process that First Things First uses to make grant awards.

First Things First has allocated $284 million for early education and health services that touch the lives of almost 330,000 children statewide.

First Things First Regional Partnership Councils determine how 81% of all First Things First funds will be spent. A percentage of FTF funds are allocated to each regional council based upon how many children age five or under live in the region, including how many of those children live in poverty. The councils – which are made up of 11 members who reside or work in the region – complete a needs assessment of children from birth to age five in their communities and make spending recommendations based on those needs. The statewide First Things First Board – consisting of nine voting members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate – then approves the councils’ recommendations. Representatives of the state departments of Economic Security, Education and Health Services also sit on the statewide board, but they do not vote. In addition, about 10% of First Things First funds are spent on statewide initiatives. Two current initiatives focus on establishing a statewide quality rating system for early learning environments and ensuring that early caregivers have the training and support to provide quality early learning experiences for children. Less than 10% of First Things First funding is spent on administration. The central administration is responsible for ensuring that First Things First funds are invested in strategies and initiatives that will yield the most positive results for Arizona’s youngest children.

First Things First funding comes from taxes on tobacco products. Voters set aside these funds to be used exclusively for the expansion of early learning and health programs for children from birth through age five. In addition, the funds cannot be used to offset spending on programs already receiving state appropriations. The funds are deposited into a state account and invested by the state treasurer. About $150 million per year is collected. While tobacco taxes represented a stable source of revenue for the start-up of First Things First, the Board continues to explore opportunities for public and private partnerships to increase the resources available for investment in early childhood.

First Things First was created by Arizona voters in a 2006 landslide vote. As a result of this initiative, 80 cents on every pack of cigarettes sold is set aside to expand early learning and health programs for children from birth through age five. The creation of First Things First demonstrates that Arizonans value early childhood as the foundation of a child’s learning and that they understand that investment in the early years results in children who are more successful in school and in life.

First Things First establishes Regional Partnership Councils throughout the state. Council membership is by specific categories and is determined by an application process. One category is the faith‐based member. The application for membership has very broad definitions which are inclusive of members from diverse backgrounds, which would allow, where appropriate, a traditionalist to be the faith‐based Council member.

Funds are administered at the local level through Regional Partnership Councils. At this time, an IGA is not required since the Regional Partnership Council will determine needs and prepare the application to be submitted to the Board that best meets the needs of all children ages birth to five years in their Region. If a tribe decides that it wants to establish its own Regional Partnership Council, a Tribal Resolution indicating this intent is required by the AZECDH Board. A Tribal Resolution indicating the intent of the Arizona Tribe is due by March 1, 2008 or earlier. Failure to provide a decision one way or the other will mean that the Tribe has not elected to opt out by the deadline and is therefore a member of the designated region for two years. The Tribe may again elect to opt out or remain with that Region in two years.

First Things First has hired Senior Policy Specialists who will work with the Regional Partnership Councils to research best practices and share that information with Councils. Further, the Inter‐Tribal Council of Arizona, Early Childhood Workgroup will work with First Things First to ensure best practices are shared with the Tribal communities.

All Arizona children, ages birth to five years, are part of First Things First. Regional Partnership Councils must have one public official or employee of a tribal government if the Tribe is located in the region. The AZECDH Board appoints the Council members and works to ensure the composition of the Regional Partnership Councils is consistent with the Proposition. The input and participation of the Arizona Tribes is critical in meeting the needs of all children. The Tribal representative will help ensure the needs of Tribal children are included in the plans of the Council.

The Regional Partnership Councils are to include eleven members who reside or work in the region and meet specific categories. Some categories may not be available to all of the Councils, but the effort to secure applications for all the categories must be demonstrated. Having less than all eleven positions filled will not prevent a council from acting for the benefit of children.

First Things First seeks to improve the quality of early childhood development and health programs and to use research by Tribal Head Start programs, Tribal Early Childhood programs, and FACE programs to increase access to quality early childhood development and health programs. Depending upon the distribution of grants under the Regional Partnership Councils, these programs and other services may be enhanced or expanded to serve young children.

By participating as either a member of the Council of a designated region, or by opting out and becoming their own Region with their own Regional Council, Tribes can identify ways to best help children ages birth to five years be healthy and succeed in school and life.

The Councils are to include eleven members who reside or work in the region and if an Indian Tribe is located in the regions, one tribal official or employee of a tribal government must be on the Councils. Tribal members must apply for appointment to a Council. First Things First staff will work with Tribal leaders in making recommendations to the Board for appointment of a Tribal representative.

Regional Partnership Councils’ members are appointed by the AZECDH Board after a public application process. Notice of the time to apply will be posted on the First Things First website and distributed to associations and groups around Arizona once the regional boundary designation are made by the AZECDH Board. Council membership is made up of eleven members who must reside or work in the region and meet the established criteria in the statute. Appointed members serve four year terms, although five of the initial eleven members will be appointed for only a two year term.

First Things First establishes Regional Partnership Councils throughout the state. The Regional Partnership Councils are to include eleven members who reside or work in the region. Funding will be based on the number of children ages birth to five years living in the area, as well as the number of young children whose incomes do not exceed 100% of the federal poverty level. Programs funded through the AZECDH Board may be conducted either by grantees in the region or directly by the Regional Partnership Council.

Regional Partnership Councils’ members are appointed by the First Things First Board after a public application process. Council membership is made up of eleven members who must reside or work in the region and meet the established criteria in the statute. Appointed members serve four year terms. http://www.azftf.gov/WhatWeDo/Volunteer/pages/RpcAppInstructions.aspx

First Things First seeks to ensure that all children birth to five are safe, healthy and ready to succeed as they enter kindergarten or first grade. The funding formula does give extra weight to children whose family income does not exceed 100% of the poverty level, but also recognizes that the need for a strong early childhood development and health system that will serve children in the community. Regional Councils will make determinations of how the dollars within each region can best help children of all socio and economic status succeed.