Region Stories from Gila

These stories illustrate how early childhood programs and services funded by First Things First make a difference for young children and families in communities across Arizona.

Gila County task force helps open local early childhood workforce pipeline

October 22, 2026
Gila professional development child care crisis

One key task force initiative is the development of a workforce pipeline to address the estimated 60% child care shortage in Gila County. Read More

Adrea Ricke is the 2020 Gila Champion

7/28/2020
Gila

Adrea Ricke has been selected as the 2020 First Things First Gila Champion for Young Children.

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
Gila

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

Quality First preschools in Globe-Miami area helping children prepare for kindergarten

11/15/2019
Gila

Brandi White, a mother of four children and a former elementary school teacher has seen a difference in her 4-year-old son, Vander, since enrolling him in…

Hearing screening at Quality First center helps Payson boy be successful

12/5/2018
Quality First

One of the requirements of Quality First centers is to conduct early screenings to assess health and developmental issues in children.

Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services support family as their son’s first and best teacher

1/10/2018
family support

Lydia Aguilar-Ott and her husband started taking parenting classes before their son was born.They had heard over and over that even when parents aren’t…

Quality First scholarship helps Miami boy prepare for kindergarten

8/3/2017
Quality First

As a mother of three, Summer Hernandez understands the importance of a mom’s role in her children’s lives. Hernandez will be the first one, however,…

Globe sisters’ literacy skills developed through book program

8/3/2017
language & literacy

Sammi Jenkins signed up her two daughters for Dolly Parton’s Imagination book Library when her youngest daughter Casper was born.A Gila County…

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