Northwest Maricopa Region
Arizona’s early childhood agency represents a commitment Arizonans made to our youngest children – that they would have the support they need to start…
Northwest Maricopa Region
Arizona’s early childhood agency represents a commitment Arizonans made to our youngest children – that they would have the support they need to start school healthy and ready to succeed. Many young children in Arizona face significant barriers to their success, including poverty, trauma and lack of access to needed resources.
55,078Population of young children (under age 6)20%Percentage of young children living in poverty
Priorities
The Northwest Maricopa Regional Partnership Council makes strategic investments to support the healthy development and learning of the young children in the region. The regional council’s priorities include:
- Scholarships for children to access high-quality early learning
- Strengthening families through family resource centers and voluntary home visitation programs
- Improving the quality of child care and preschool programs
Early Childhood Matters.
90% of a child’s brain grows before kindergarten.
Learn why
Regional Key Impact Highlights
[State Fiscal Year 2025]
Strengthening Families and Early Literacy
8257 families or caregivers served by receiving referrals or by participating in activities at family resource centers
Quality Preschool and Child Care
6758 children attended preschools and child care programs participating in Quality First
Preventive Health
42 families were provided with knowledge, strategies, supports and services to nurture children who have not reached age-specific developmental milestones
Programs Our Region Funds
First Things First supports early childhood programs in Arizona through grants to community organizations that provide services—at no cost—for young children from birth to age 5 (before kindergarten) and their families.
Find Programs
State Fiscal Year 2025 Total Regional Program Expenditures
| Quality and Access | $6,123,340 |
| Family Support | $2,267,392 |
| Health | $1,045,724 |
| Evaluation | $280,494 |
| Community Awareness | $98,400 |
| Professional Development | $47,044 |
| Total | $9,862,394 |
First Things First Staff
Mailing Address
14050 N. 83rd Ave., Suite 140, Peoria, AZ 85381
602.771.4960
Annette Bourne
Regional Area Director
abourne@nullfirstthingsfirst.org 480.584.9002
Nicole Yezzi
Regional Specialist
nyezzi@nullfirstthingsfirst.org 602.771.4965
Cynthia Gandara
Administrative Specialist III
cgandara@nullfirstthingsfirst.org 602.771.4960
Regular Council Meeting Dates
View schedule