First Things First discusses the link between school readiness and early language levels. Last year, nearly 1 in 4 Arizona third graders did not pass the reading portion of the state standardized test. The number of words a child knows at age 3 strongly correlates with reading and comprehension levels at ages 9 and 10. The brief details how First Things First infuses literacy in to its funded programs and offers parents and caregivers tips on how they can support language and literacy development in their child.
First Things First examines the need for a quality rating and improvement system, and how Quality First can standardize and help improve early child care in Arizona.
Across the country, states are acknowledging the importance of understanding children’s developmental status as they enter kindergarten to ensure an effective response to their instructional needs. Arizona’s KDI partner group is no exception, as they have recognized the importance of the development of a KDI in Arizona. In addition, they understand that the development and implementation of a KDI will be a significant effort within the state. The KDI Stakeholder Taskforce was convened early in the planning process to provide stakeholder input on three key issues: the KDI tool, PD, and communications. This stakeholder input is invaluable as the state moves forward with next steps related to the development of a KDI that will benefit the early childhood community, the K-12 education system, and all children and families across Arizona.
This report focused on young children and was created as a collaboration between First Things First and Saint Luke’s Health Initiatives’ Arizona Health Survey in order to take stock of where Arizona stands today.
This document is the result of the convening of the Arizona Early Childhood Taskforce in the spring and summer of 2010. It defines the ideal system of early childhood development and health in Arizona and articulates First Things First's role within that early childhood system.
This report provides a model to help readers conceptualize the essential elements of a robust professional development system, and how they fit together. Drawing upon a comprehensive environmental scan completed this year, the report continues with a description of the current state of Arizona’s early childhood PD system, identifying gaps and opportunities. Finally, the report outlines a Two-Year Strategic Plan that represents the recommendations of the Arizona Professional Development System-Building Working Group.
This document stresses the importance of collective efforts among families, early care and education professionals, health care professionals, family support providers, community members, and policymakers in supporting the learning and development of young children.
A resident of Wickenburg, Arizona and her husband reported experiencing some adverse health effects that she felt may be attributed to a recent pesticide application to her home. The family requested the Arizona Department of Health Services to evaluate whether the remaining levels of pesticides present in her home would cause any health effects. The resident reported to ADHS that their symptoms continued to worsen over time, and that the chemical continued to pool in their house even after being wiped up several times, so that she and her husband vacated the house. The couple underwent extensive testing, and are receiving oxygen treatment to alleviate their symptoms. No medical records have been submitted to ADHS for review, and it is difficult to conclusively analyze health outcome information as it has been self reported.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality asked the Arizona Department of Health Services to evaluate the health threat to residents from exposures to ash fallout from a fire at an asphalt plant located on the Salt River Indian Reservation in Mesa, Arizona. The facility has recently been bought by Vulcan, Inc. The site is located just north of the Salt River between Dobson and Alma School Roads. April 13, 1999.