Skip to content

Sign up for the newsletter »

First Things First First Things First

Latest News

News and happenings about First Things First

Week of the Young Child Proclamations 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 highlights the importance of early learning and the educators who support the… Read More

Child care worker in blue shirt talking to a little boy with a blue toy in his hand. early care and education workforce

New national early care and education workforce center designed to support child care workers

  • child care

One focus will be the workforce pipeline. Many early care and education organizations find it difficult to locate skilled workers.
two little boys talking with child care provider in a classroom.

FTF asks early childhood partners to share child care survey with working families

  • child care

Any working family can take the survey at: surveymonkey.com/r/mychildcare. Early childhood partners are asked to share the survey, also.
Headshot of Jandi Craig on a green background.

Spotlight on FTF White Mountain Apache Tribe Regional Council Member: Jandi Craig

  • Regional Partnership Councils

Jandi Craig, a regional council member from the FTF White Mountain Apache Tribe Region, joined in 2012. She is the business representative.
Mom hold small baby, who is wearing a pink bow on her head.

Finding ways to support new and expectant mothers experiencing depression and stress

  • mental health

May is National Maternal Mental Health Month and is designed to bring awareness and reduce the stigma of postpartum depression and other perinatal mental…
residents gather at FTF Central East Community Forum

FTF hosts community forum on strengthening the child care workforce

  • child care crisis

The FTF Central East Community Forum on Strengthening the Child Care Workforce was the first of a planned set of statewide quarterly forums.

Baby in pink shirt getting hearing screening, developmental screenings

Many children entering kindergarten developmentally and socially behind compared to pre-COVID years

  • developmental screenings

During the COVID-19 pandemic sensory and developmental screenings to identify potential delays were often missed.
RPC Volunteers

Spotlighting FTF’s longtime volunteers

  • Regional Partnership Councils

Over the next few months, FTF will be spotlighting long-time regional council members through a series of short question and answer articles. We kick off this…
Week of the Young Child Interview Story - 2023

Celebrating early learners and educators who support their positive development

  • AZ communities

Week of the Young Child is an annual nationwide celebration that focuses on early learning and the educators who support young children.
early childhood mental health consultation

Early childhood mental health consultation grant provides solid foundation for growth

  • Graham/Greenlee

The United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties recently renewed FTF’s grant that expanded early childhood mental health consultation.

Stay Up To Date.

Join our email list to keep up with the latest news and information from FTF

Send me:

© First Things First. All Rights Reserved. • Privacy Policy • Accessibility • Website Feedback • Ombudsman-Citizens Aide