For Parents
For Parents. To help you do the best you can, here’s some information, tools and resources for supporting your child’s healthy development and learning.
- Free Programs and Services
- Quality Child Care and Preschool
Families Can Take Action
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About FTF
About FTF. Created by Arizona voters, First Things First partners with families and communities to help our state’s young children be ready for success in kindergarten and beyond.
- What We Do
  
  Our Mission
  
  How We Work
  
  Investments
  
  Publications
- Governance
  
  Board
  
  Regions
  
  Tribal Affairs
FTF 2026 Annual Report takes a look at FTF at 20 years
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Grants
Grants. First Things First invests in strategies and programs that support the development, health and learning of children from birth to age 5 (before kindergarten).
- Grant Opportunities
- Potential Applicants
- Strategy Toolkit
- Grantee Resources
Advocate for Early Childhood
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Get Involved
Get Involved. First Things First partners with families and communities to give all Arizona children the opportunity to arrive at kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed.
- Serve Your AZ Community
- Giving
- Arizona Employer Child Care Toolkit
- Advocate for Early Childhood
Business Impact of Child Care Calculator
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Latest News

News and happenings about First Things First

2026 Annual Report

FTF 2026 Annual Report takes a look at FTF at 20 years

September 15, 2026

The report, Impacting Young Lives Throughout Arizona, is an in-depth look at FTF’s investments made from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Read More

Week of the Young Child Proclamations 2026

4/21/2026

First Things First recently teamed with the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (AzAEYC) to celebrate the Week of the Young Child, which…

John Giles with RPC Member Melinda Gomez

New FTF Board Member Committed to Arizona’s Kids

4/20/2026
AZ communities

Former Mesa Mayor John Giles recently joined the First Things First state Board. We asked Giles what it means to join First Things First.

Arizona’s Workforce Starts Earlier Than You Think

4/8/2026

Workforce development is often associated with higher education, training, professional development or reskilling. However, the foundation of a strong…

Letter of support asks for stabilized funding for early childhood programs

3/13/2026
child care crisis

The letter of support included signatures from individuals, local governments, tribal nations, various elected officials and business owners.

2026 Early Childhood Day at the Capitol

Hundreds rally at Capitol to show support for early childhood

2/26/2026
child care crisis

More than 500 supporters gathered for Early Childhood Day at the Capitol to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood education.

Newly awarded grant opens more access to Quality First

2/26/2026
Quality First

Five dozen child care providers will be able to enroll in Quality First as a Rating Only participant because of new grant funding.

Heights Church and Upside Preschool: Investing in Child Care

2/4/2026
case study

For rural areas like Yavapai County, leaders at Heights Church in Prescott Valley prioritized addressing the overwhelming need for child care.

Tempe PRE: Investing in Child Care

1/30/2026
case study

When Tempe invested in high-quality preschool, improvements went beyond the classroom.

Pima PEEPS

Pima Early Education Program Scholarships (PEEPs): Investing in Child Care

1/15/2026
case study

Pima County prioritized early childhood education after seeing how limited access affects families and the economy.

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