Skip to content

Sign up for the newsletter »

First Things First First Things First

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.

veteran-dad-and-son

Military veteran finds quality child care to help son learn and grow

  • Quality First Scholarships

Kyle Wright, a veteran, was running out of options.The Navy veteran and single dad was working full-time and taking college classes through the GI Bill, and he…
girl-with-helmet-smiling

Quality preschool helps third grader reach top of the class

  • Quality First

When their daughter Natalia was just 18-months-old, long before preschool, Phoenix resident Maria de Jesus Cervantes and her husband began searching for a…
girl-by-fence

Yuma mom helps build her daughter’s vocabulary by reading to her from day one

  • Yuma

When Amy Crawford gave birth to her baby girl, she felt an overwhelming anxiety.​​​​​“We felt lost and scared and did not know what to do,”…
Mark Becker

Mark Becker is Yuma’s 2018 Champion for Young Children

  • Yuma

Mark Becker has been selected as the 2018 Yuma First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively volunteer…
hopi-girl-smiling

Hopi girl’s self-esteem blossoms with help from her mom

  • Coconino

When Tia was 4 years old, her mother Tracy Billy worried about her self-esteem. Billy was working full time during the day at the hospital, taking evening…
teacher-with-kids

Veteran home-based early care provider finds support and encouragement to overcome child’s…

  • Southwest Maricopa

After 26 years nurturing and educating young children, veteran teacher Becky Tellez never expect to face a teaching challenge she couldn’t overcome. But,…
boy-using-computer

Library literacy stations help parents see themselves as a child’s first teacher

  • Pascua Yaqui Tribe

​​​“TWO! That’s my number, that’s how old I am,” said 2 year old Joaquin, as his eyes lit up when he saw the number two flash across the screen…
boy-playing

Readiness Basket program helps families gather to learn

  • Southwest Maricopa

At the tender age of nine months, Luis moved in with his grandmother Maria Altamirano and her husband Miguel.Right away, Altamirano could see that Luis had…
First Things First Logo

Scholarship program keep kids learning, parents working

  • Phoenix South

​​​​​​​As a single mom of three boys, Angie struggled to afford child care while still keeping food on the table. She has let the lights go out…

Stay Up To Date.

Join our email list to keep up with the latest news and information from FTF

Send me:

© First Things First. All Rights Reserved. • Privacy Policy • Accessibility • Website Feedback • Ombudsman-Citizens Aide