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

Early literacy experiences lead to reading success for San Carlos Apache fourth-grader

8/3/2017
San Carlos Apache

When Marlencia Benally enrolled her 1-year-old son in a program to receive children’s books every month in the mail, she had no idea that she would be…

Shy preschooler transitions to kindergarten and becomes go-to student

8/3/2017
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Candice Nomoki was looking for a better way to communicate with her children after she saw herself falling into a similar parenting style that she grew…

Books come alive for Tucson preschooler

7/5/2017
Pima North

Jasmin was a teen mother looking for ways to support her 3-year-old daughter Jada’s learning when she heard that Make Way for Books offered an early…

Rene Hobbs-RedDay is Coconino’s 2017 Champion for Young Children

6/5/2017
champion

Rene Hobbs-RedDay has been selected as the 2017 Coconino Region First Things First Champion for Young Children. The award is given to local champions who…

Jane Strain is Cochise’s 2017 Champion for Young Children

6/5/2017
champion

Strain has engaged in awareness-raising efforts such as: Speaking to state representatives and local elected officials about early childhood development and…

Debe Morena is East Maricopa’s 2017 Champion for Young Children

6/5/2017
champion

Debe Moreno has been selected as the 2017 East Maricopa First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively…

Dr. Sonal Subbu is Yuma’s 2017 Champion for Young Children

6/5/2017
champion

Dr. Sonal Subbu has been selected as the 2017 Yuma First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively volunteer…

Wendy Watson is Yavapai’s 2017 Champion for Young Children

6/5/2017
champion

Wendy Watson has been selected as the 2017 Yavapai Regional First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively…

Claude Endfield is White Mountain Apache Tribe’s 2017 Champion for Young Children

6/5/2017
champion

Claude Endfield has been selected as 2017 First Things First White Mountain Apache Tribe Region Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local…

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