FTF in the News

KTAR - How Arizona’s decline in cigarette smoking is costly to its early childhood education agency

February 19, 2026

Arizonans are taking better care of their lungs but harming early childhood education funding in the process. This is because Arizona’s early childhood agency is reliant on tobacco taxes. Read More

Dal Pra Selected to Lead First Things first

10/12/2017

PHOENIX – (October 12, 2017) On Tuesday, the First Things First Board selected Marilee Dal Pra as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer,…

First Things First La Paz/Mohave Region honored with Eddie Basha Award for Leadership and Service

8/31/2017

PHOENIX (Aug. 31, 2017) – Community volunteers from the First Things First (FTF) La Paz/Mohave Region were honored Tuesday at the organization’s statewide…

First Things First Named Among Top 25 Innovations in Government by Harvard University

5/2/2017

PHOENIX – May 2, 2017 – Today, First Things First was announced as a Top 25 program in this year’s Innovations in American Government Awards…

New Dental Tools in AZ Parent Kit Aim to Curb School Absences

3/10/2017

51 Million School Hours Per Year Missed Due to Oral DiseasePHOENIX (March 10, 2017) – Preventing oral disease and developing good oral health is something…

First Things First Named Semifinalist in Harvard’s 2017 Innovations in American Government Awards…

1/18/2017

PHOENIX – (January 18, 2017) The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University,…

Annual Report Details Return on AZ’s Early Childhood Investment

9/21/2016

Improvements in quality early learning, children’s oral health among highlightsPHOENIX (September 21, 2016) – Since the inception of First Things First,…

First Things First: Audit was rigorous and beneficial

8/29/2016

PHOENIX (August 29, 2016) – Arizona’s Auditor General has released an 83-page audit that describes First Things First as a high-performing organization…

Nadine Mathis Basha Assumes Leadership of First Things First Board

7/19/2016

PHOENIX – (July 19, 2016) First Things First is pleased to welcome Nadine Mathis Basha as the new Chair of its statewide Board.She succeeds Janice Decker,…

Board Opposes Plan to Seize Early Childhood Funds; Says Proposal Ignores the Will of Voters

10/7/2015

PHOENIX (October 7, 2015) – The First Things First Board has resolved to oppose any proposal by policymakers to divert its funding or alter its mission;…

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