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News and happenings about First Things First

Letter of support asks for stabilized funding for early childhood programs

March 13, 2026
child care crisis

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

First Things First CEO reading with children

A first-year CEO reflection and a look ahead

1/11/2019
AZ communities

Marilee Dal Pra, chief executive officer of First Things First, shares thoughts about her initial year leading the organization and her hopes for building on…

Service organizations play important role in supporting early learning

1/10/2019
AZ communities

Recently, more and more of service organizations have recognized that supporting early childhood health and development is critical to ensuring a positive…

Child care worker with two toddler on playgrounds

Quality First supports record number of quality child care and preschool programs

12/21/2018
early learning

Arizona has hit an all-time high for the number of child care providers participating in Quality First that meet or exceed quality standards.

Early childhood educator reading to student

Pima County coalition partners to support working parents

12/12/2018
Quality First

The Family Engagement Network, which includes FTF Pima North and South, recently received a national grant to advance support for working parents of young…

2018 Impact Reports showcase regional work across Arizona

12/10/2018
investments

Want to know the impact that First Things First (FTF) is having in your community? Take a look at the 2018 FTF Regional Impact Reports.Every year, First Things…

Regional Council Member, Nancy Jean Walker

Raising school achievement starts before kindergarten

12/4/2018
AZ communities

Raising student achievement in school should start with investment in early childhood.

Want to enhance economic development? Invest in child care

11/29/2018
investments

Having high quality child care with the resources available for families to access is not just good for kids, it is good for parents as employees, their…

Early intervention is key to supporting long-term success

11/27/2018
AZ communities

First Things First celebrates the commitment of nearly 50 regional partnership council members who have served on a council for 10 years.

Executive knows early childhood is serious business

11/21/2018
AZ communities