First Things First partners with families and communities to help our state’s youngest children prepare for kindergarten and beyond.
Many young children in Arizona face challenges that threaten their healthy development and learning. In the Pinal Region, there are 34,984 children (under age 6) with 24% living in poverty.
Here is how FTF is working to support young children and their families in this region.
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“As a social worker and researcher within the criminal justice system, I know that making the most of limited resources by caring for people during early childhood improves our society for pennies on the dollar. The well-being of young children is a reflection of the well- being of families. Ensuring quality care for our most vulnerable people makes the most impact for our society.” Briana Frenzel |
Pinal Regional Key Impact Highlights
[Fiscal Year 2020]
2,282 Families of newborns received the Arizona Parent Kit, filled with tips and tools to help support their child’s healthy development.
340 Parents and other caregivers participated in evidence-based trainings designed to improve knowledge of parenting practices and children’s development.
1,748 Children attended preschools and child care programs participating in Quality First.
380 Children birth to age 5 received a Quality First scholarship to attend high-quality preschools and child care programs.
2,243 Children monitored to receive appropriate screenings to detect vision, hearing and developmental issues to prevent learning challenges later on.
1,070 Children received fluoride varnishes applied to protect against childhood tooth decay.
1,731 Children received a screening to detect tooth decay, which left undetected and untreated could cause damage to permanent teeth, impair speech development and failure to thrive.
25 Early childhood educators received college scholarships to improve their qualifications for working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Pinal Family Story
Family, Friends and Neighbor program helps Maricopa grandmother prepare granddaughter for kindergarten
When Katelyn Redlin gave birth to her first child, Brooke, she found it difficult to leave her baby at a child care center. She convinced her mom and dad, Karen and Michael Redlin, to move to her hometown of Maricopa to help care for her daughter while she worked.
Karen Redlin was excited to be a grandmother and her granddaughter’s caregiver during the day. Despite her excitement, Redlin felt like she needed support to give Brooke the best care, so she signed up for the Family, Friends and Neighbor (FFN) program, which focuses on supporting in-home child care providers.
Read moreFTF Pinal Regional Partnership Council
SFY20 Total Regional Program Expenditures
The FTF Pinal Regional Partnership Council is made up of volunteers who study the unique needs of the local community and decide how funds should be used to best support the healthy development and early learning FTF Pinal FY20 Total Regional Program Expenditures of young children birth to age 5. FTF invests in proven programs and innovative strategies through grants to community organizations that provide services to children and families.
| Quality Child Care and Preschool | $3,303,229 | 54% |
| Strengthening Families | $1,509,467 | 24% |
| Preventive Health | $829,536 | 13% |
| Parent and Community Awareness | $197,755 | 5% |
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Research and Evaluation |
$160,536 | 3% |
| Coordinating Care | $100,900 | 1% |
| TOTAL |
$6,101,424 |
The FTF Pinal Region is defined as Pinal County, not including the lands belonging to the Gila River Indian Community, the Tohono O’odham Nation or the San Carlos Apache Tribe. The region does include the land belonging to the Ak-Chin Indian Community. The FTF Pinal Region includes Legislative Districts 8 and 11. (Legislative districts are not necessarily congruent with regional boundaries.)