“(FTF) is a new model of what is possible when people come

 together … to make a difference for young children.”

In May 2009, Arizona was awarded the Most Promising State for Young Children Award at the National Smart Start Conference. The award was accepted by Nadine Mathis Basha, Chair of First Things First.  

Smart Start is North Carolina’s nationally recognized early childhood initiative designed to ensure that young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Arizona is the first recipient of Smart Start’s new award created to honor states that are making promising strides in the development of comprehensive systems for young children. 

“Today, we honor a state that is a new model of what is possible when people come together at the state and grassroots level to make a difference for young children,” said Stephanie Fanjul, President of The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., in announcing the award winner. “They are rapidly on their way to becoming the state that we will all look to and that we will learn from in the future – the model for what is possible when a state fully commits to making a difference for young children.”

Criteria for the Most Promising State Award included: overall accomplishments; political leadership and support; establishment of a state and local infrastructure to support early childhood system-building; level of collaboration across partner organizations; progress towards developing and institutionalizing standards, programs and an infrastructure in support of young children and their families; and, level of impact to date on behalf of young children and their families.