Latest News

News and happenings about First Things First

Child care is key to a thriving Arizona economy

August 15, 2025
AZ communities investments child care crisis

Money invested in early childhood development yields extraordinary public returns. Economist Art Rolnick talks about the importance of early childhood education and child care. Read More

COVID-19 forces abrupt end to Arizona legislative session

7/9/2020
AZ communities

The Arizona legislative session typically passes between 300 to 400 bills, but there was fewer than 100 this session which closed early due to the pandemic.

2020 regional Champions for Young Children honored

7/8/2020
champion

FTF is honoring early childhood champions throughout Arizona who actively volunteer to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood.

blue box with US Senate emblem and Thank you senators

Senators’ recent actions support early childhood

7/2/2020
AZ communities

Sens. McSally and Sinema helped honor early childhood champions throughout Arizona by sending each champion a congratulatory certificate and letter.

woman standing in front of a presentation board

FTF College Scholarship recipient works to guide young Navajo children in the right direction

6/24/2020
early childhood

The FTF Navajo Nation Regional Council is one of 15 FTF regions that supports professional development opportunities, including college scholarships.

Childhood immunization rates slipping to dangerously low levels

6/18/2020
child development

FTF is working with early childhood partners to urge families to keep their babies, toddlers and preschoolers on schedule for their immunizations.

Dramatic drop in screening referrals prompts concern for early intervention for Arizona’s young…

6/12/2020
developmental screenings

A 50% drop in referrals to Arizona’s Early Intervention Program has partners trying to reach parents about the importance of early screenings.

Mom holding baby while facetiming family member

Strong social connections key to supporting families

6/4/2020
family support

During times of social distancing, FTF reminds families that there are ways to reach out and find places offering family support through social connections.

woman with headset, sitting in front of a computer, video chatting with a mom and her child

FTF-funded program fills assessment gap through online developmental screenings

5/29/2020
child development

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has started offering free virtual developmental screenings in some of FTF’s rural and tribal regions.

woman with clipboard and another woman sitting watching a small child play with blocks.

Two grants awarded to help reduce preschool expulsions in southeastern Arizona

5/21/2020
child development

The FTF Cochise Region and FTF Graham/Greenlee Region recently received two separate grants to fund early childhood mental health consultation.

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