Region Stories

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.

Grandmother, mother and two small children looking at the camera.

Caregiving program helps Yuma grandmother better understand child development

September 24, 2025
Yuma family friend and neighbor care

Family, Friend and Neighbor Care provides support to informal caregivers who are caring for a small group of young children in a home setting. Read More

Home visitation program helps Buckeye boy expand his vocabulary

11/15/2019
family support

Reina Jimenez said, “I know that this program is what helped his progress the most and I am happy and relieved about his development.”

Tohono O’odham Nation elder finds joy in guiding and shaping young children

11/15/2019
tribal

The path to earning two college degrees was not a simple one for Juan, whose career in early childhood education on the Tohono O’odham Nation spans more than…

Whiteriver families take parenting workshops to help prepare their children to succeed in…

11/15/2019
tribal

Sylvia Hinton is training parents to help their children succeed in school in Whiteriver, Az through free parenting workshops.

Parenting class helps young mom and dad from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community look at…

11/15/2019
family support

“After we took the class, we really started talking more, sitting with each other, reading books, trying to understand each other and communicate,” said…

3-year-old boy gets prepared for kindergarten at family resource center in Rio Rico

11/15/2019
family resource centers

The Rio Rico Family Resource center provided the Luna’s with free classes and other activities to help their son prepare for kindergarten.

Scottsdale Family Resource Center helps young sisters establish healthy emotional behaviors

11/15/2019
family support

“These programs have made a difference for our family,” Chris Ortiz said. “I genuinely feel that I have become a more capable and confident parent.”

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…

Safford library story time helps instill love of learning in girl

11/15/2019
language & literacy

When Chandler Aaron was 9 months old, her mom went back to work as a school teacher. Luckily for Chandler, her grandma Barbara Matthews became her full-time…

Quality First scholarships allow two sisters to access high-quality care

11/15/2019
Quality First

Angelina Ramirez is a single mom who is determined to provide the best for her two daughters, Ella and Jewel. However, as a working mom, affording quality…

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