Professional Development

First Things First wants all families to have choices in the quality of the early experiences of their children and to increase the quality of early childhood programs and services to young children and their families, across Arizona. 

The continuous professional development and education of caregivers and teachers of young children, and of health providers who support young children’s healthy development and care, are important to accomplishing these goals.

This is why FTF provides scholarships for teachers, family members and others who care for young children in certified/licensed settings, and to speech language pathology graduate students interested in early intervention careers.

Individuals are taking college courses to better understand how to help young children develop the skills that prepare them for school through partnerships with:

Professional Career Pathways Program (PCPP),

Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) Early Childhood® ARIZONA,

and ASU’s Department of Speech and Hearing.

FTF wants well-educated professionals to grow their careers in early care and education and has implemented the FTF Professional REWARD$ program to provide financial incentives for increased education, achievement of certificates and degrees, and for continuous employment.   

Information and Publications on the Importance of Professional Development

A Decade of Data: The Compensation and Credentials of Arizona’s Early Care and Education Workforce was commissioned in 2007 by the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth & Families, Division for School Readiness.