Angela Mussi Community Outreach Coordinator Dr. Deborah Pischke Chair, FTF Northwest Maricopa Regional Partnership Council and PUSD Early Childhood Director

Focus on Kids Birth to Five Learning begins at birth 80% of a childs brain is formed by age 3 90% of the brain is developed by age 5 Shonkoff, J. P. (2008). The Science of Child Development and the Future of Early Childhood Policy

Brain Science

Brain Architecture Image source: Conel, JL. The postnatal development of the human cerebral cortex. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1959 Center on the Developing Child – Harvard University 700 New Neural Connections Every Second

Pre-K through Grade 12 Schools & Educators

First Things First partners with families and communities so that all children have the tools they need to start school healthy and ready to succeed.

To get children ready for school we have to do more than pack their lunches, fill their backpacks, and get them to the bus on time. In fact, the job of helping children succeed in school starts the day theyre born.

FIRST THINGS FIRST IN OUR COMMUNITY Increasing the quality of early education, including professional development Keeping children healthy Ensuring parents and families have the tools they need

FULFILLING NEEDS 7,709 Arizona families enjoyed stronger, more supportive parent-child relationships 11,433 fluoride varnishes applied to protect against dental decay 36,000 Arizona children have access to higher quality child care, in the past year alone

LOCALLY FUNDED STRATEGIES WITH DIRECT IMPACT IN PUSD Improving Access to and Quality of Early Care and Education Quality First – 15 PUSD Preschools participate Preschool Scholarships – 147 PUSD children Recruitment into the Field – 6 PUSD High Schools benefit FIRST THINGS FIRST IN OUR COMMUNITY

Keeping children healthy Oral Health initiative – Over 700 PUSD preschoolers received dental screenings/fluoride varnishes to protect teeth Supporting parents and families Family Resource Centers – One opening at Marshall Ranch in July 2013 FIRST THINGS FIRST IN OUR COMMUNITY

FULFILLING OUR COMMITMENT Programs Proven to Work Delivering Quality Programs to Kids & Families Improved School Readiness for Arizona Children

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT Get informed: Visit us on ReadyAZKids.com Like us on Facebook or Twitter Get involved: Invite us to tell another group about the importance of the early years Get em ready : Connect parents and caregivers to resources

All Arizonans have a shared responsibility to help Arizona children grow up healthy and ready to succeed.

LEARN MORE: Connect With Us azftf.gov Contact Us First Things First (Street Address Town, AZ ZipCode) Phone: (Your phone) (Your ) Angela Mussi Community Outreach Coordinator