Yuma 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…
Yuma 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.
17,983Population of young children (under age 6)29%Percentage of young children living in poverty
Priorities
The Yuma 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 voluntary home visiting, parenting education and supporting children with special needs
- Improving the quality of family, friend and neighbor care
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
268 families with young children participated in voluntary home visiting programs proven to reduce parental stress levels, increase connections to community supports, and improve children’s cognitive, motor, behavioral and social-emotional development.
265 parents participated in a workshop to increase their understanding of early language and literacy.
Quality Preschool and Child Care
2431 children attended preschools and child care programs participating in Quality First.
126 caregivers recieved support to create quality interactions and learning environments in a home child care setting.
Preventive Health
80 families were provided with knowledge, strategies, supports and services to nurture children who have not reached age-specific developmental milestones
1009 children received a screening to detect tooth decay, which when left undetected and untreated could cause learning challenges later on
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 | $2,573,243 |
| Family Support | $1,461,744 |
| Health | $667,666 |
| Evaluation | $138,406 |
| Professional Development | $134,389 |
| Community Awareness | $12,423 |
| Total | $4,987,871 |
First Things First Staff
Mailing Address
2450 S 4th Avenue, Suite 400, Yuma, AZ 85364
928.343.3020
Rudy Ortiz
Regional Area Director
rjortiz@nullfirstthingsfirst.org 928.343.3020
Shawni Laffoon
Tribal Regional Specialist
shawnilaffoon@nullfirstthingsfirst.org 602.320.1056
Melissa Solorio
Administrative Specialist III
msolorio@nullfirstthingsfirst.org 602.908.4652
Regular Council Meeting Dates
View the schedule