\u200b\u200bBrianne Endfield was determined to raise her son, Denahii, on her own and the right way.<\/p>\n
The 18-year-old, first-time mom was taking online classes for her bachelor\u2019s degree and working full time to make ends meet, but it wasn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n
Soon after the baby was born, Denahii was hospitalized for severe jaundice. The baby\u2019s health problems increased as he got older. Denahii, who the family calls Pockets, was frequently in and out of the hospital with a low oxygen count. Chronic ear infections had caused significant hearing loss. At one of his doctor\u2019s visits, the doctor told Endfield that her son had a submucous cleft palate. Surgeries followed to help correct his hearing and his cleft palate. The costs of Pockets\u2019 medical care quickly began to drain Endfield\u2019s bank account.<\/p>\n
As Pockets grew older, Endfield knew she needed to find a quality child care center for him to attend, but she didn\u2019t think she couldn\u2019t afford it on top of his medical costs. Still, she visited at Alchesay Beginnings Child Development Center in Whiteriver, which participates in First Things First\u2019s signature program, Quality First.<\/p>\n
The FTF program partners with child care and preschool providers to improve the quality of early learning across Arizona. Quality First funds quality improvements that research proves help children thrive, such as training for teachers to expand their skills and to help create learning environments that nurture the emotional, social and academic development of every child.<\/p>\n
The center\u2019s director told Endfield to apply for a Quality First Scholarship, which helps eligible families afford quality early care and education for their young children.<\/p>\n
\u201cPockets is such a social child,\u201d Endfield said. \u201cHis time at ABC gave him the opportunity to learn so much and interact with other kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now in kindergarten at Cradleboard Elementary School, Endfield said her son is thriving.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe quality care Pockets received at ABC helped him develop the motivation, self-esteem, focus and self-discipline he needed,\u201d she said.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"