NORTHEAST MARICOPA REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL
The First Things First Northeast Maricopa Region includes Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Care Free, Cave Creek, Rio Verde, and the tribal lands of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Eleven volunteer Council members, including a representative of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, assess the needs in their local community, engage stakeholders to set priorities, and collaborate with other early childhood professionals to maximize resources and improve outcomes for children 5 and younger in their community.
There are 28,810 children, five and under, in our community. In Fiscal Year 2012, the Council has devoted the $3,129,231 to fund programs that include:
• Supporting the expansion of the number of children who have access to high quality child care, including learning materials that are developmentally appropriate, a curriculum focused on early literacy and teachers trained to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers;
• Supporting mental health professionals who are able to meet the unique social/emotional needs of children five and younger, through mental health consultation; and
• Home visitation and literacy programs through which young children receive stronger and more supportive relationships with their parents so they are Ready for School, Set for Life.
Serving each community’s distinct needs is a major goal of First Things First—reaching out to children and families in ways that will best offer support so that all Arizona children can start school ready to learn, be successful and reach their full potential.