Region Stories from Santa Cruz

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.

Experienced mom gets support to parent 2-year-old daughter in Rio Rico

December 2, 2021
home visitation Santa Cruz

The FTF Santa Cruz Region funds the program, which provides parents with no-cost, in-home visits from a parent educator. Read More

Gloria Pliego is the 2021 Santa Cruz Region Champion

7/2/2021
champion

Gloria Pliego has been selected as the 2021 First Things First Santa Cruz Region Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively…

Family on grass, smiling and wearing matching denim

Home visitation program helps Nogales brother and sister excel in developmental milestones

12/21/2020
family support

The FTF Santa Cruz Regional Partnership Council funds the home visitation strategy which offers individualized support to parents of young children.

Jethzabel Leon is the 2020 First Things First Santa Cruz Champion

6/2/2020
champion

Jethzabel Leon has been selected as the 2020 First Things First Santa Cruz Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively…

FTF Santa Cruz Region’s Celebrate the Young Child kicks off Early Childhood Education Awareness…

2/7/2020
AZ communities

A partnership with organizations across Santa Cruz County has made early childhood awareness more visible throughout the community.

3-year-old boy gets prepared for kindergarten at family resource center in Rio Rico

11/15/2019
family support

The Rio Rico Family Resource center provided the Luna’s with free classes and other activities to help their son prepare for kindergarten.

Darcy Dixon is the 2019 Santa Cruz Region Champion

6/19/2019
champion

Darcy Dixon has been selected as the 2019 First Things First Santa Cruz Region Champion for Young Children.

Quality First preschool helps Rio Rico girl fall in love with school

12/5/2018
Quality First

Quality First preschool not only set up girl academically, but it set a strong foundation for socializing, which is so important at that age.

Laura Monarque is Santa Cruz’s 2018 Champion for Young Children

6/19/2018
champion

Laura Monarque has been selected as the 2018 Santa Cruz First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively…

Home visitation program prepares Nogales preschooler for kindergarten and beyond

1/12/2018
family support

Nicole Velasquez had heard of the Healthy Families AZ program, which includes home visitation through the family resource center in Nogales, where she took…

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