FTF funds presented to La Paz and Mohave

Kids five years old and younger will have better access to the early education and health services that prepare them to succeed in school, thanks to a $3,985,616 check presented by First Things First (FTF) to community leaders last Thursday.

“This check represents the on-going commitment of Arizona’s voters to children in the La Paz/Mohave region,” said FTF Executive Director Rhian Allvin. “These funds will ensure that more local kids arrive at kindergarten prepared to succeed.”

FTF funds come from an 80-cent increase on tobacco products approved by voters in 2006 for the express purpose of expanding or enhancing education and health services for kids 5 and younger.  Decisions about which services to fund are made by local volunteers with early childhood expertise. The specific amount allocated to each region is determined by the number of children under 5 in the area, and how many of those children live in poverty.

“We’ve already seen significant progress for children through First Things First in Mohave and La Paz counties,” said William Allsbrooks, chair of the La Paz/Mohave Regional Partnership Council. “These funds will allow us to continue meeting the many needs of children in our communities.”

The check presented last week will fund early childhood services in the La Paz/Mohave region from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. The regional council will work with community stakeholders for the next three months on a plan to build on the early childhood services already funded in the region and to address other needs of young children in the area.

To learn more about your local regional council and the early childhood services funded by FTF in the La Paz/Mohave region, please visit www.azftf.gov/lapazmohave.