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Region Stories

These stories illustrate how early childhood programs and services funded by First Things First make a difference for young children and families in communities across Arizona.

Honoring Carolyn Haro

Carolyn Mawson Haro, of Globe, passed away on July 24, 2025, in Tucson, after living with cancer. Fittingly born on Independence Day, Carolyn was known for her spirited personality and was often described as a firecracker.She was a… Read More

family resource centers, southeast Maricopa 2022 Impact Report story, mom sitting on floor playing with kids

Mesa resource center helps family create quality early learning experiences for sisters

  • family resource centers

The FTF Southeast Maricopa Regional Partnership Council funds family resource centers to provide a community hub of services, programs, guidance and support…
Family Friend and Neighbor program

Casa Grande provider helping children learn and grow

  • family friend and neighbor care

The FTF Pinal Regional Council funds the program to support caregivers in helping the young children in their care to learn and grow.
LENA Start Program, Phoenix South 2022 Impact Report story, mom and baby daughter

Phoenix library program helps parents make the most of talking with their baby

  • Phoenix South

The FTF Phoenix South Regional Council funds the library’s LENA Start program to provide parents and caregivers with ways to learn about positive parenting…
family resource centers, four siblings sit in chairs next to each other

Surprise family resource center helps get great grandmother resources to help four great…

  • family resource centers

The FTF Northwest Maricopa funds family resource centers to provide families with the information, services and support they need to help their children…
Four siblings holding hands in forest, Arizona Children's Association

Parenting classes help mother of four prepare her daughter for kindergarten

  • Navajo/Apache

The FTF Navajo/Apache Regional Council funds the Arizona’s Children Association to host programs such as Kinder Prep and Brain Time at the Snowflake library.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Gila 2022 Impact Report Story

Library program fosters children’s love of reading

  • Gila

The FTF Gila Regional Partnership Council funds the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program through the Gila County Library District.
Nutrition Obesity and Physical Activity, preschooler posing in front of a lake holding a snack

Parker family gets physical

  • nutrition and physical activity

The FTF Colorado River Indian Tribes Regional Partnership Council funds the Nutrition, Obesity and Physical Activity (NOPA) program in Parker, where Aspa’s…
home visitation, quote from father Rigo Mendoza

Cocopah Early Steps guides father and children to new milestones

  • Cocopah Tribe

The FTF Cocopah Tribe Regional Council funds the home visitation program, which offers weekly and bi-weekly visits from a trained parent educator.
Quality First scholarships help Sierra Vista sisters

Quality First scholarships help Sierra Vista sisters thrive

  • Quality First Scholarships

The FTF Cochise Regional Partnership Council funds Quality First Scholarships, which scholarships are available for children birth to age 5.

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