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Region Stories from Yavapai

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.

David Barko is the 2021 Yavapai Champion for Young Children

  • champion

David Barko has been selected as the 2021 First Things First Yavapai Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively devote…
early childhood educators siting in a children's classroom

Early childhood teachers in Yavapai County learning ways to support social-emotional development of…

  • social-emotional development

The FTF Yavapai Regional Partnership Council funds early childhood mental health consultations to better support the social-emotional development of children.
Judy Schroedl

Judy Schroedl is the 2020 Yavapai Region Champion

  • champion

Judy Schroedl has been selected as the 2020 First Things First Yavapai Region Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively…
brothers at graduation ceremony

Home visitation program helps Chino Valley mom track milestones for her premature twins

  • family support

A NICU nurse told the mom about FTF and home visitation, which provides at-home visits for families of young children with a trained parent coach.

Champion volunteer for Yavapai

Jean Barton is the 2019 Yavapai Region Champion

  • Yavapai

Jean Barton has been selected as the 2019 First Things First Yavapai Region Champion for Young Children.
Little boy in classroom

Quiet preschooler becomes social butterfly in Black Canyon City

  • Quality First

The high-quality learning environment of the Quality First center supported the preschool student’s vocabulary development, and his overall social growth.
Carolyn Shelley

Carolyn Shelley is Yavapai’s 2018 Champion for Young Children

  • champion

Caroyln Shelley has been selected as the 2018 First Things First Champion for Young Children in the Yavapai Region.The award is given to local champions who…
girl-by-river

Young explorer gets hooked on books

  • literacy

​Young Kylie Riebli loves princesses, the color pink and paddling her own kayak while exploring the Verde River with her parents –she also loves to…

Child care scholarship allows Prescott preschooler to soar

  • Quality First

​​When Dove Gunderman or Prescott decided to restart her academic journey to become a speech therapist, her youngest daughter Juliette was 4 years old. The…

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