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Region Stories from Southwest 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.

Elena Armbrust

Elena Armbrust is Southwest Maricopa’s 2018 Champion for Young Children

  • champion

Elena Armbrust has been selected as the 2018 Southwest Maricopa First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who…
Boy with graduation cap and certificate

Developmental screening program helps get Avondale preschooler ready for kindergarten

  • health and developmental screenings

Maria Covarrubias of Avondale remembers watching her 3-year-old son Cesar, sitting by the door all day waiting for his older sister to return from…

Quality First preschool in Goodyear prepares boy with foundational skills

  • Southwest Maricopa

​​For Warner D’Cunah of Goodyear, the cost of enrolling his three children in West Valley Christian School is an investment in quality education. His…
kids-playing-chess

High quality preschool environment brings out the best in Goodyear girl

  • Southwest Maricopa

Zoe Mullins was only 4 years old when she began beating her father at chess.“It’s not that her dad is a bad player, but that Zoe is just that good,”…

Stacie Kopa is Southwest Maricopa’s 2017 Champion for Young Children

  • champion

Stacie Kopa has been selected as the 2017 Southwest Maricopa First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively…
teacher-with-kids

Veteran home-based early care provider finds support and encouragement to overcome child’s…

  • literacy

After 26 years nurturing and educating young children, veteran teacher Becky Tellez never expect to face a teaching challenge she couldn’t overcome. But,…
boy-playing

Readiness Basket program helps families gather to learn

  • Southwest Maricopa

At the tender age of nine months, Luis moved in with his grandmother Maria Altamirano and her husband Miguel.Right away, Altamirano could see that Luis had…

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