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.
Prior to 1967, Arizona had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country. That year, in an effort to reduce the high infant mortality and morbidity rates, Arizona applied for and received a federal demonstration grant. The grant was designed to reduce infant death by transporting critically ill newborns born in rural hospitals into intensive care centers. As a result, there was a dramatic decrease in neonatal mortality. Part of that grant was to provide home based Community Nursing Services to the infants and their families. Community Health Nurses provided follow-up home visits for the NICP infants and their families up to one year of age.
As one of the largest Federal block grant programs, Title V is the key source of support for promoting and improving the health of all the nation‘s mothers and children. Each year, all states are required to submit an Application and Annual Report for Federal funds for their Maternal and Child Health Services Title V Block Grant to States Program to the Maternal and Child Health Bureau in the Health Resources and Services Administration.
The Bureau of Women’s and Children’s Health holds a vision of: Healthy Women, Healthy Children, Healthy Tomorrow. The Bureau resides within the Division of Public Health Services of the Arizona Department of Health Services, and serves as the lead state agency for maternal and child health in Arizona.
Abusive head injury fatalities were identified in Arizona’s Child Fatality Review annual reports. Non-fatal hospitalizations and emergency department visits due to abusive head injuries (shaken infant or shaken impact syndrome) were identified using methods from a study conducted in 2005. Infants and children under the age of two years with a code for shaken infant syndrome in any diagnostic fields were included. Additionally, cases with a diagnostic code for skull fracture or intracranial injury, retinal hemorrhage, or intracranial hemorrhage with an external cause of injury code for known or suspected homicide/assault were included.