Sedona AZ – Arizona grocery shoppers will have the opportunity during September to help Arizona’s youngest children learn, grow and succeed. First Things First (FTF), a state organization that funds strategies and initiatives in the areas of early learning, preventive health and family support, will be the beneficiary of a register promotion at all Bashas’ and Food City grocery stores throughout... 

Sedona AZ (July 19, 2016) – First Things First is pleased to welcome Nadine Mathis Basha as the new Chair of its statewide Board. She succeeds Janice Decker, whose term ended in June. Created by voter initiative in 2006, First Things First has since provided programs to strengthen families, improve the quality of early learning, and promote preventive health for thousands of young children statewide. CEO... 

Sedona AZ (February 2, 2015) – When we think about getting kids ready for kindergarten we talk about brain development and early literacy, but did you know that early oral health impacts learning too? First Things First reminds communities that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month which raises awareness about the importance of oral health. More than 51 million school hours are... 

Sedona AZ (December 16, 2014) – The holidays are crowded with activity and excitement, which can all be fun for young children, but may also have some unintended consequences: behavior changes. Toddlers and preschoolers can experience a myriad of emotions, including: anticipation of special activities and events; joy (or disappointment) regarding gifts; anxiety being around unfamiliar relatives... 

Sedona AZ (November 10, 2014) – Like all skills, gratitude is best learned young. As the Thanksgiving season approaches, it is the perfect time to teach young children a very important life lesson: gratitude. Barbara Lewis, author of What Do You Stand For? For Kids, teaches us children as young as two years of age are aware that other people do things for them or give them things that make them... 

Paul Hines and Kio of the Prescott Valley Canine Unit Sedona AZ (February 2, 2014) – On January 23, 2014, a truck loaded with hundreds of boxes of the new 2014 Big and Little Kids Book rolled into Prescott, Arizona. The Big and Little Kids Book, a free resource guide for families in Yavapai County, is created and funded through a partnership between the Yavapai County Community Foundation and... 

Sedona AZ (February 1, 2014) – First Things First (FTF) is seeking applicants for the First Things First Yavapai Regional Partnership Council. FTF regional council members are a crucial voice for kids ages birth to five throughout Arizona. In collaboration with communities, regional councils determine which early education, health and family support programs to fund to help more local children... 

Sedona AZ (December 15, 2013) – When Sedona residents Sandra Papas and David Collin learned about the free parenting education classes available in the community, they jumped at the opportunity. To them, it was a “no-brainer”, not because their family was having any issue in particular but to gain more knowledge, tips and tools to strengthen the relationship with their two daughters. “We... 

Halloween Trick or Treat bags offer treats that promote tooth decay so brush and floss well after eating candy! Sedona AZ (October 16, 2013) – Did you know that tooth decay is among the most common health issues affecting young children, and that dental disease is one of the leading causes of school absence?  The Arizona Department of Health Services estimates that 1 in 3 children ages 4 and... 

Everyone benefits when kids come to school healthy and ready to succeed Sedona AZ (August 19, 2013) – Families will now have more information and tools for finding quality child care and preschool through QualityFirstAZ.com. The new website, launched by First Things First, gives families information about why quality is important in child care and preschool and what quality looks like. It also gives...