Region Stories from East Maricopa

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.

Quality First Arizona preschool in Flagstaff, teacher bending down to interact with students

Parents say Quality First helped their children with a strong start for kindergarten

September 29, 2022
Quality First Navajo Nation East Maricopa Cochise Quality First Scholarships kindergarten readiness

Many times, parents don’t know where to begin their search for a quality child care center or preschool. QualityFirstAZ.com makes it easy. Read More

Kim Waggoner is the 2019 East Maricopa Region Champion

5/21/2019
champion

Kim Waggoner has been selected as the 2019 First Things First East Maricopa Region Champion for Young Children.

Positive experiences at Quality First preschool impact all seven Scottsdale siblings

12/5/2018
early care and education

Scottsdale siblings received early education at Quality First preschool and their positive experiences impacted the entire family.

Normalicia Blanco is East Maricopa’s 2018 Champion for Young Children

5/25/2018
champion

Normalicia Blanco has been selected as the 2018 East Maricopa First Things First Champion for Young Children.The award is given to local champions who actively…

Home visitation program helps lay foundation of learning for Ahwatukee girl

1/10/2018
parenting education

Like all expecting parents, Marriott Hileman dreamed of raising a successful child. When Sofia was born, Hileman made the decision to stay home so she could…

Family resource center helps Tempe mom support daughter’s learning

8/3/2017
family support

When Maricela Romero became a mother, she wanted her daughter Emily to have a better childhood experience than the one she remembered. But it wasn’t…

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…

Toddler blossoms through early learning scholarship

7/18/2016
Quality First

Chandler mom Torre Valentine is a big proponent of quality early childhood education. “It helps to set a foundation for how (a child’s) future is going to…

Tempe mom credits kids’ school success to empowering parenting program

7/8/2016
school readiness

Liliana Acosta had five children’s books in her home and would read them to her children every night. But, her daughter’s preschool teachers…

Mom of two finds support at family resource center

7/8/2016
family support

“Even though you think you know it, there’s different ways to parent. It’s not the way we were taught how to parent,” said Elizabeth…

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