Katie Hurst, CEO of Arizona Association for Economic Development, sees the value when businesses invest in working families it also benefits Arizona. Supporting working families isn't just good common sense — it's good economic sense. ✔️ Parents are more productive and miss

For nearly 20 years, First Things First has been investing in community organizations who offer free programs and services to families. Supporting Arizona's young children and their families has so many benefits—especially economically. That said, it's no secret: our annual

FACT ✅ According to the Economic Policy Institute, the average cost of child care in Arizona is $12,152 per year. And for infant care? $15,625 per year. Both cost more than in-state college tuition. When child care is this expensive, families are often forced to make difficult.

Arizona's future depends on strong families—and strong families need access to quality child care to be able to work. In an op-ed for AZ Capitol Times, First Things First Board Chair Steven Lynn makes the case for why early childhood programs are essential to Arizona's

Former First Lady of the Navajo Nation and First Things First Navajo Nation regional council member Phefelia Nez knows access to quality early education is more than a family issue—it's an economic imperative. Read here: In this op-ed for @navajotimes,

RT @ArizonaEarly: Arizona Parents! DES is opening up the child care assistance wait list! Letters were sent to eligible families on July 11….

STATEMENT FROM THE FIRST THINGS FIRST BOARD.by Board Chair Steven Lynn. On behalf of the First Things First Board, I want to thank Gov. Katie Hobbs and members of the Arizona State Legislature for the critical investments included in this year’s budget to support Arizona’s

RT @ArizonaStand: Thank you to the Arizona legislature and Governor Hobbs for including $45 million to expand childcare subsidies in the bu….

Arizona made a bipartisan, historic investment for early childhood as the State Fiscal Year 2026 budget passed. We've been saying it for years: early childhood education is tied to the success of Arizona's families, economy and workforce development. It's a win for all of us.

There's no parenting manual handed out when you have a baby—and while most parents are figuring it out as they go, it helps to have some guidance. First Things First, Arizona's early childhood agency, funds the Parenting Education Strategy to support parents with classes on a

New babies don't come with instruction manuals—yet those early years are the most foundational for a child's lifelong success. Parents are responsible for encouraging positive development, but it's hard to do that without resources and support. The Birth to Five Helpline is a

RT @PiperTrust: Preschool & early child care lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Without that early boost, future success can be hard….

RT @ofeliagonzo: New study on how a baby's brain development and growth has a huge impact on their future. @AZFTF has been saying this for….

We often say early childhood educators are the workforce behind the workforce—while parents are at work, they're nurturing the next generation. Investing in our early educators impacts more than just families—it's vital for community well-being. How local officials can

RT @AngelaR53818: Thanks to KTAR for the opportunity to discuss AZ's child care crisis. At @AZFTF, we believe child care is key to our stat….

Grateful to see early childhood at the center of workforce conversations! 💼👶 . Huge thanks to @melindagulick for representing @AZFTF and lifting up how access to child care strengthens Arizona’s economy and supports working families. #AZWorkforceSummit2025.

In Arizona, there's only one public funding source dedicated exclusively to early childhood, the beginning of our state’s education continuum. 👋 That's us, First Things First—working at the state and local levels to give AZ kids the opportunity to arrive at kindergarten healthy

More than half of Arizona parents report lost productivity at work due to child care challenges. With rising housing and child care costs, many families simply can’t afford reduced hours or missed workdays. @EPICimpactorg's Child Care Design Lab is here to help. This

For Elisia Manuel, connecting families with resources is a major part of serving the FTF Gila River Indian Community Region. "Our community—we're in a rural area, so we have a different need. We've been able to impact children, parents and grandparents raising grandchildren by

Pediatricians have been urged by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to prescribe this one thing to children. PLAY. “Play is not frivolous. It enhances brain structure and function and promotes executive function — the process of learning, rather than the content," said