All Arizona children birth through age five are afforded opportunities to achieve their maximum potential to succeed in school and life.
Our Mission
To increase the quality of, and access to, the early childhood development and health system that ensures a child entering school comes healthy and ready to succeed.
The First Things First Mission and Vision will be attained through a comprehensive early childhood
system that values children as our greatest asset, and recognizes families and communities at the center of decision making.
Our Guiding Principles
Decisions are Made
By involving public and private partners and communities
By focusing on desired outcomes for all children
By emphasizing local planning and implementation
By utilizing ongoing and rigorous analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, proven best practices, and system and program outcomes
Programs, Services and Supports are Offered
Through an integrated, seamless and accessible system based on high quality standards and proven best practices
By focusing on the strengths of the whole child
Funding Decisions Are Made
By careful planning and long range forecasting to ensure the level and quality of services are sustained over time
To leverage public and private resources that will enhance the ability to deliver high quality services and supports for children
By utilizing local decision making for resource allocation
Accountability is Achieved
By establishing and tracking key measures of early childhood development and health system improvements
By ensuring a rigorous, independent evaluation of the service delivery system and its outcomes