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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.

Pascua Yaqui Tribe library literacy workshops enhance skills and tribal way of life

  • tribal

​​Amalia A.M. Reyes always knows when the literacy workshops for parents are working. Reyes, who supervises the Dr. Fernando Escalante Community Library…

Weekly storytime helps shy Parker boy socialize and build reading skills

  • school readiness

​​Chase Nelson started kindergarten with a bigger vocabulary and more self-confidence thanks to the Tuesdays he spent at the library with his mom.Andrea…

Quality First preschool in Goodyear prepares boy with foundational skills

  • Quality First

​​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…
sisters-reading-book

Bilingual books build early literacy and cultural knowledge for Peach Springs sisters

  • tribal

​​​After almost two years, 7-year-old Lena Montana and her little sister, Alyssa, 5, still carry around their bilingual children’s books filled with…
mom-and-son-smiling

Pinal grandparents find help to overcome toddler’s learning delays

  • school readiness

Carla Jones of Maricopa suspected that something was wrong when her grandson was just 2 years old. Little Kémon showed signs of learning delays, and mumbled…
grandparents-with-granddaughter

Grandparents rise to the challenge

  • early care and education

Proud parents of two young girls, Katelyn Redlin and her husband live in Maricopa but work during the day in Chandler. Soon after their second child,…
girls-with-food

Healthy Beginnings help Navajo Nation family meal plan and prepare healthy meals

  • tribal

When an injury forced Crystal Begay’s husband to leave his job, the stay-at-home mom began looking for programs and support that could help get their family…

District preschool helps prepare Tohono O’odham children for kindergarten

  • Quality First

​A preschool program at Indian Oasis Elementary School in Sells is providing quality early learning to children living on the Tohono O’odham Nation.In…
kids-graduating

Tohono O’odham Nation boy grows literacy skills and bonds with mom through daily reading

  • family support

Daniella Parley wanted her son to be successful in school, but she didn’t know where to start. Gabriel Pablo was 3 years old when his mother heard about the…

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