FIRST THINGS FIRST

First Things First Navajo Nation Regional Partnership Council partnered with the Navajo Project Indigenous LAUNCH and the Navajo Nation Department of Behavioral and Mental Health Services to present the 2024 Diné Early Childhood Summit earlier this month. The summit highlighted the vital role of family members in advocating for the health and wellness of young children in their families. #AZFTF Senior Director of Tribal Affairs Candida L. Hunter and Community Engagement Coordinator Marlo McCabe led conversations around improving collaboration among early education and pediatric health partners throughout Navajo Nation. The summit highlighted the need for refined referral processes to better connect families in need of services. Fun fact: #FTFNavajoNation Community Engagement Coordinator Marlo McCabe's son, Kendrick McCabe, was a panelist!

Join FTF CEO Melinda Morrison Gulick as she shares about the state of child care in Arizona at Arizona Talks Foundation at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5. Arizona Talks hosts discussions to drive educated dialogue on the state's top policy perspectives. U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, professor Chris Herbst from ASU School of Public Affairs and Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Director of Policy and Government Affairs Grace Appelbe will join Gulick. Register to attend an engaging and informative public policy discussion addressing the child care crisis impacting Arizona families and economy. Registration link: https://lnkd.in/e8zcQT9x

Meet the new First Things First Board Chair and Vice Chair—Steve and Steve. We asked Steve Lynn and Steve Peru a few questions about their motivation to be advocates for Arizona’s youngest children. "The importance of FTF’s work has a profound impact in the areas of economic development, as well as workforce development," Peru says. "The better equipped individuals and families are, the better equipped everything is!" 🗯️Check out the Q&A here: https://lnkd.in/eMXaGszu

At the Aug. 20th Family Resource Center (FRC) Summit, FRC staff from all over the state came together to connect, engage in meaningful professional development, and showcase the incredible work happening in their FRCs. This inaugural summit provided 120 attendees with an opportunity to deepen the connections and knowledge needed to advance the critical work of family support in Arizona. Thank you, FIRST THINGS FIRST, for your investment in Arizona's families through your support of these resource centers!

🚨 LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: Chamber Policy Series on Child Care and Workforce 🚨 The lack of affordable child care remains one of the biggest barriers to workforce entry for far too many parents. As employers struggle with a growing hiring crisis, addressing Arizona's child care shortage has become an urgent priority. Arizona's business community understands that expanding access to quality child care options is not just a family issue - it's an economic imperative. On August 26, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry will host a panel discussion exploring how child care and early development shape Arizona's workforce. This event is a must-attend for business leaders, policymakers, and education experts dedicated to strengthening Arizona's economic future by tackling our child care and early education challenges head-on. Panelists include: ‣ Stacy Reinstein, Deputy Assistant Director, Arizona Department of Economic Security ‣ Melinda Morrison Gulick, CEO, FIRST THINGS FIRST ‣ Rich Nickel, President & CEO, Education Forward Arizona ‣ Stephanie Itelman, EPIC, Executives Partnering to Invest in Children ‣ Chad Gestson, Executive Director, Northern Arizona University’s Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy 📅 Date: August 26, 2024 🕛 Time: 11:30 AM (Lunch), 12:00 - 1:00 PM (Panel) 📍 Location: Arizona Chamber Office, 100 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix 🔗 REGISTER TODAY: https://lnkd.in/gWPY4n6S

Quality early learning experiences are imperative in building strong families and ensuring future success of our communities. Thank you Jaye Stimson O'Donnell for supporting the #FirstThingsFirst mission to build systems that help make quality early care and education accessible and affordable to all families.

Join FTF CEO Melinda Morrison Gulick as she shares about the state of child care in Arizona at Arizona Talks Foundation at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5. Arizona Talks hosts discussions to drive educated dialogue on the state's top policy perspectives. U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, professor Chris Herbst from ASU School of Public Affairs and Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Director of Policy and Government Affairs Grace Appelbe will join Gulick. Register to attend an engaging and informative public policy discussion addressing the child care crisis impacting Arizona families and economy. Registration link: https://lnkd.in/e8zcQT9x

There's an easy, digestible way to learn about the work First Things First is doing to better the lives of Arizona's youngest children. Have you subscribed to our monthly newsletter yet? ☑️ https://lnkd.in/gYPM6nyD

First Things First CEO Melinda Morrison Gulick was recently honored to engage in a roundtable discussion with the acting secretary of the US Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su and Fresh Start Women's Foundation about workforce development, career pathways and apprenticeships—because Arizona works when child care works.

Isn't it great when someone does the leg work for you? 😉 This free resource is absolutely PACKED with useful links and provides an easy-to-follow guide for how your business can support parents and early childhood development. #azbusiness #smallbusiness #businessculture