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Region Stories from Southeast Maricopa

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.

Mom smiling and holding her young son who is wearing a striped shirt

Family resource center helps Gilbert boy build self-esteem and self-discipline skills

  • family resource centers

At AZCEND family resource center, Kat Somers had access to resources, referrals to support services and access to educational programs.
Maria Villalobos

Maria Villalobos is the 2020 Southeast Maricopa Region Champion

  • Southeast Maricopa

Maria Villalobos has been selected as the 2020 First Things First Southeast Maricopa Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who…
Family reading together

Home visitation program helps Mesa girl with her confidence

  • Southeast Maricopa

“Now with the help of our parent educator, I’ve learned many different approaches so that my husband and I can help Ariya with life skills and prepare her…
Champion volunteer for Southeast Maricopa

Jeanie Pefferly is the 2019 Southeast Maricopa Region Champion

  • Southeast Maricopa

Jeanie Pefferly has been selected as the 2019 First Things First Southeast Maricopa Region Champion for Young Children.
Family of four on playground

Home-based Quality First center in Mesa helps ‘sympathetic soul’ excel

  • Southeast Maricopa

The home-based Quality First center has a small family setting, a low number of children and a director passionate about early education and children.
Marissa Calderon

Marissa Calderon is Southeast Maricopa’s 2018 Champion for Young Children

  • champion

Marissa Calderon has been selected as the 2018 Southeast Maricopa First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who…

Tillie Peralta is Southeast Maricopa’s 2017 Champion for Young Children

  • champion

Tillie Peralta has been selected as the 2017 Southeast Maricopa First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who…
mom-with-children

Parents as Teachers helps Gilbert couple teach fragile son

  • Southeast Maricopa

For Scott and Pat Hall of Gilbert, their adopted son Ethan was a miracle. Born seven weeks early and weighing only 4 pounds, the medical crises with the baby…
mom-and-teacher-with-child

New directions parenting class helps resolve sibling strife

  • parenting education

Maanasi was having a hard time playing sibling referee for her two children, ages 9 and 3. They would fight over toys, books and even where the other was…

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