First Things First Emergency Early Childhood Response

Monday, September 14, 2009

Important Notice: Providers and parents have been notified that assistance through the First Things First Emergency Scholarship Program is temporary. Unfortunately, the funding to support the program in the Central Maricopa, Central Pima, Coconino, Colorado River Indian Tribe, Gila, LaPaz / Mohave, North Phoenix, North Pima, Northeast Maricopa, Northwest Maricopa, Southeast Maricopa, Southwest Maricopa, South Pima and Yavapai regions is being depleted quickly. As a result, no additional providers will receive contracts to provide services and no additional scholarships to children will be approved.   We will regularly update the list of regions where funding is running out.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board voted to approve an emergency early childhood support package of more than $39 million, to keep families working and children safe. The Board’s action is a result of the economic crisis and state budget cuts.  More than $23 million dollars has been awarded to a consortium of United Ways to administer emergency child care scholarships to support working families and five Regional Partnership Councils awarded an additional $920,472 for emergency child care scholarships. Regional Councils approved nearly $1.6 million to 43 organizations that will distribute 68,000 emergency food boxes to families with young children.  Seventeen Regional Partnership Councils throughout Arizona also awarded more than $12 million for family support strategies to promote safe and stable families.

First Things First Emergency Early Childhood Response Plan

Updated Information on Emergency Child Care Scholarships

Information and Agency Applications for Emergency Response - Family Support

Frequently Asked Questions

First Things First is steadfastly committed to our mission to increase the quality of, and access to, early childhood programs that will ensure a child entering school comes healthy and ready to succeed. 

First Things First is about children which is why we are responding with both haste and boldness to the current economic crisis in Arizona.   Legislative cuts have resulted in dramatic decreases in funding to the early care and education system.  Our actions provide a direct relief in a worsening economy so that young children can remain in a safe, nurturing environment while their parents go to work.

First Things First is providing scholarships for nearly 10,000 children in families with a household income that is 200% or less of FPL, and that are not eligible for nor receiving DES child care subsidy (e.g. a family of four earning $44,100 a year or less) through the end of June, 2009.  We are also preventing hunger by funding over 22,500 families with additional food boxes.

This funding is temporary.  It provides a short-term strategy until the Governor accepts, and the Legislature appropriates, the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. At the same time, First Things First will continue to direct funds that build the infrastructure of quality programs and systems that will serve Arizona children and families far into the future.

How will working families benefit from this emergency early childhood response?

First Things First realizes that families are finding it challenging to care for their kids during these tough economic times. First Things First’s emergency response will allow more than 22,500 families with children ages 0-5 to receive emergency food assistance through local food banks.  In addition, nearly 10,000 children “scholarships” of up to $600 a month will be available to help pay for child care for families who do not qualify for a child care subsidy (e.g. a family of four earning $44,100 a year). Regional councils have also been given authority to develop and fund additional strategies to help address critical local, emergency needs of families with young children.

Is this supplanting?

No, First Things First will not be replacing the budget shortfalls or supplanting (take the place of or replacing) funds which have been cut.  Through this action, FTF is responding to the urgent needs of children and their families.  The Board determined that First Things First discretionary and regional allocations may be used temporarily to help bolster early childhood supports while revisions to the 2009 budget can be reconsidered in light of the federal stimulus funds being made available.

How does this State Board decision remain true to the FTF tenant of “local control” of funding decisions?  

In order to best meet local needs, Regional Partnership Councils will have authority to:

• Direct Regional Funding Plan monies in the areas of child care access and affordability, family support to meet emergency needs and food insecurity to move forward in an expedited award process, thus becoming available within weeks rather than months. 
• Redirect regional funds from categories, such as communications, needs and assets reports and evaluation to areas related to immediate needs, such as children’s health and those listed above.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

We appreciate your interest in the First Things First Emergency Early Childhood Response.  

The First Things First Board acknowledges the dire circumstances facing Arizona families and children due to the current economic crisis. That is why the Board acted unanimously to provide swift financial and program supports to families with young children.

There are many steps and aspects to implementing the Board’s response to this crisis.  Please check back often for updates.  Information will be rolling out over the next several days on how our emergency funding will be distributed. 

Thank you for your concern and commitment to children. 

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Please sign up for real time First Things First News via the subscription page - updates anticipated over the next several days as more information will be available. 

Take a moment to educate your Legislator on the impact the economic crisis and budget decisions are having on you, your family and your constituents.  Information on the Legislature can be found HERE.