News

Yesterday Babies and Toddlers Rain Down on the Capitol

The Arizona Early Childhood Alliance (AZECA) hosted its Early Childhood Day at the Arizona State Capitol. The annual day of advocacy brings together families and early childhood champions to raise awareness of the importance of a child’s earliest years.

Families and early childhood advocates attended breakout sessions on a variety of legislative topics and had the opportunity to meet with their legislators during breakfast and facilitated visits throughout the day. CAA President and CEO Siman Qaasim, and Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President, Monica Villalobos presented during a meeting of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. To wrap up the day, a legislator panel led by Senate Minority Leader, David Bradley and Representative Aaron Lieberman (pictured below) highlighted the importance of restoring funding to early childhood programs.

Thank you to all of the legislators who meet with their constituents and to Southwest Human Development (@SWHDaz), Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (@azhcc), Zero to Three (@ZEROTOTHREE), Valley of the Sun United Way (@myvsuw), Stand for Children Arizona (@ArizonaStand), Expect More Arizona (@ExpectMoreAZ), First Things First (@AZFTF), and the rest of our 53 partner organizations.

Special thanks to Barbie Prinster and Eric Bucher who co-chaired the planning committee and to everyone who volunteered many hours of their time for making the 2020 #ECDay possible.

More News

News

Nearly 103,000 Arizona kids lost AHCCCS, but KidsCare expansion brings hope.

Since the end of the public health emergency a year ago, 103,000 fewer Arizona children are enrolled in AHCCCS coverage with the return to regular renewal requirements, according to a new report from Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. AHCCCS and its companion KidsCare provide child-specific…

Arizona Preschoolers Are at Risk of Being Left Behind

Last Thursday, the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) released its annual State of Preschool Report. The report is a state-by-state comparison of preschool program funding, access, and best practice policies. This year’s report notes that preschool programs are at a critical juncture….

News

SB 1458: Because Children Thrive in Families, Not Institutions

Arizona places young foster children in group homes and institutions at a higher rate than any other state in the nation. We must change that – and we can with SB1458. Congregate care placements have detrimental effects on the healthy development of children, especially young children. Experts...