Message from the Chair

Thank you so much for visiting our brand new website! We hope you will visit often as well as sign up for our First Things First e-mail updates.

We have been very busy this year working to make sure that all children in Arizona will have access to high-quality early care, education, and health. Approximately $75 million has been invested in early childhood programs so far, including $37 million to meet the safety, nutrition and child care needs of our youngest children whose families have been hit hardest by the current economic crisis.

Our 31 regional councils continue to review proposals from local organizations on services to meet the specific educational and health needs of children from birth to age five in their communities. About $29 million has been invested in these local strategies so far, and about $56 million more will be approved in late summer and early fall.

We also are piloting a quality ratings system to help parents choose early learning environments for their children, as well as funding a statewide initiative to improve training and support for caregivers of our youngest children.

On behalf of First Things First - the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board, the FTF staff, and our hundreds of volunteers, we thank you for joining us in this  vital movement that is dedicated  to providing every child an opportunity to enter school healthy and ready to succeed.

With your help, our young children can grow successfully and not only improve their lives, but make Arizona a better place to live by creating a stronger economy.

Sincerely,

Steve Lynn