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Globe-Payson January 19, 2018 – Community volunteers on the First Things First Gila Regional Partnership Council were recently commended by the state Board for their leadership and work on behalf of Arizona’s youngest children.
Earlier this year, First Things First was named among Harvard University’s Top 25 Innovations in American Government. The awards are presented by Harvard’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. As a Top 25 program, First Things First represents the top 2 percent of all initial applications for the Innovations Award. The unique governance structure of FTF, which engages citizens from a variety of areas to study the needs of children within 28 different regions in Arizona and help set priorities for their community, was specifically mentioned.
Created by Arizona voters, First Things First works to expand and enhance early childhood education, health and parenting programs that ensure more children arrive at kindergarten prepared to be successful. Through a unique tiered governance structure, First Things First has engaged hundreds of volunteers to serve on its Board and regional councils and make decisions about how early childhood funds are spent. To date, those volunteers have donated more than 288,000 hours of their expertise, insight and commitment in service to kids birth to age 5 across the state.
“Through this model, citizens from all walks of life are engaged in creating what Arizona and America’s voters want most: government that works efficiently and effectively to improve outcomes for our communities, our state and our country,” said First Things First Board Chair Nadine Basha in her commendation letter to the local regional council. “First Things First volunteers on the Board and regional partnership councils share a solemn responsibility: ensuring that early childhood funds entrusted to us by Arizonans are helping more children arrive at kindergarten prepared to be successful.”
Through its innovative structure, First Things First decisions reflect the perspectives of the array of Arizonans who have a stake in helping young kids be ready for school, including parents, tribal representatives, educators, health professionals, and leaders in business, philanthropy and faith. The structure balances statewide impact with local flexibility, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability. The Board is responsible for ensuring that strategies funded by First Things First improve outcomes for young children. The regional councils are responsible for ensuring that those strategies meet local needs and address community nuances, such as cultural considerations and service to families in rural areas.
“Thank you to the FTF Board for acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the Gila Regional Partnership Council,” said Fernando Shipley, Chair of the Gila Council. “Each volunteer on our council has a passion for helping our community’s young children be successful not just in kindergarten but in life.”
The Gila Regional Council received recognition at its January meeting.
Gila Regional Council members:
- Chair Fernando Shipley-Globe
- Vice Chair Sherry Dorathy-Claypool
- Debby Bunney-Miami
- Debbie Leverance-Globe
- Audrey Opitz-Globe
- Charles Proudfoot-Payson
- Tashina Smith-Payson
- Kristen Wade-Payson
- Melissa Ruff-Payson
About First Things First – First Things First is a voter-created, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Decisions about how those funds are spent are made by local councils staffed by community volunteers. To learn more, visit FirstThingsFirst.org.
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