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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.

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

  • Tohono O’odham Nation

​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…

Child care scholarship allows Whiteriver boy to prepare for kindergarten

  • Quality First

​​Brianne Endfield was determined to raise her son, Denahii, on her own and the right way.The 18-year-old, first-time mom was taking online classes for her…

Quality preschool puts Phoenix first grader at top of class

  • Phoenix South

​​Maria Jesus Cervantes’ initial experience with a poor quality child care center left her toddler crying every time she dropped her off.Through Quality…
mom-and-son-at-school

College scholarship helps Pascua Yaqui staff work toward dream of opening culturally relevant child…

  • strong families

​As Andrea Romero works her way through college, she looks at her son Isaiha for inspiration. “I was a young parent and had to work very hard to get where…
girl-at-school

Quality First preschool prepares Wittman girl for kindergarten success

  • Quality First

When Laura Aguirre’s daughter Idali turned 3 years old, she knew she wanted to provide her with a safe, quality early learning environment where she could…
boy-with-toy

Peoria boy benefits from high quality care in his early years

  • Quality First

When Victoria Roybal needed to find child care for her toddler, she wanted most to find a caregiver she could trust.This was even more critical for her son…
girl-by-river

Young explorer gets hooked on books

  • school readiness

​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…

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