In 2024, we hosted the first Inaugural Families First Forum. Children’s Action Alliance and the Arizona Center for Economic Progress joined forces with Wildfire and the Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers to host the Families First Forum on November 14^th at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix.

The forum brought together many amazing Arizona leaders from various policy and service delivery areas to learn about one another’s issues and priorities so we can champion solutions for children and families together. This is especially necessary as we prepare to defend essential services that make a difference for struggling Arizonans.

We were honored to have Bryan Samuels, the Executive Director of Chapin Hall, join us as our keynote speaker. Bryan shared data that makes it clear that keeping families out of economic crisis helps keep families out of the foster care system.

Throughout the day, we built on themes of data, lived experience, and listening to one another to learn how our work is connected, in part because we all share a commitment to serving the same Arizonans.

Thanks to all who attended the Families First Forum as we work towards stronger coalition work.

And thank you to the Arizona leaders who joined us as speakers:

Adriana Garcia Maximiliano, To the Max Strategies LLC

April Bradham, Arizona Food Bank Network

Athyna Rock, Northern Arizona Council of Governments Head Start

Chris Gilfillan, Living United for Change in Arizona

Claire Louge, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona

David Gonzalez, Southwest Human Development Head Start

David Higuera, Children’s Action Alliance Board of Directors

Dulce Quevedo, AZ Head Start Association Parent Advocacy

Geraldine Miranda, Arizona Center for Economic Progress

Jacob Holley, Fostering Advocates Arizona

January Contreras, Children’s Action Alliance

Jessica Yanow, Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers

Joseph Palomino, Arizona Center for Economic Progress

Kelly McGowan, Wildfire

Lisa Florian, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona

Lupe Reynoso Jimenez, Aliento

Matt Jewett, Children’s Action Alliance

Mike Renaud, Valle Del Sol

Teniqua Broughton, The State of Black Arizona

Thanks also to our sponsors:

Latinas in Philanthropy and Service

Child Abuse Prevention Arizona

We have a lot of work to get done together and our partnerships matter more than ever. We will continue to build on this foundation to collectively drive a policy agenda that supports children and families in Arizona.