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Strategy Name Strategy Type(s) Year Funding Amount Funding Source Features at a Glance
First Things First for Arizona's Children
Proposition 203 was approved by 53% of voters on November 7, 2006. It creates a state tax on tobacco products and provides program and grant proposal requirements and procedures for award of regional grants. It simultaneously established the First Things First program, a statewide organization that funds early education and health programs. Local regional councils, staffed by community volunteers, decide how funds are spent to support the healthy development and learning of Arizona’s young children. Learn More/Source: State of Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board
  • Dedicated Funding Streams & Financing
    • Taxes
      • Nicotine Tax
2006
State Dedicated Funding Stream
Bipartisan support in 2006 created First Things First
Proposition 203 was approved by 53% of voters on November 7, 2006. It creates a state tax on tobacco products and provides program and grant proposal requirements and procedures for award of regional grants. It simultaneously established the First Things First program, a statewide organization that funds early education and health programs. Local regional councils, staffed by community volunteers, decide how funds are spent to support the healthy development and learning of Arizona’s young children. Learn More/Source: State of Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board
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Demographics Data Scorecard

State population

7,359,197 Source U.S. Census, 2022

Rural %

10.7% Source U.S. Census, 2020

Urban %

89.3% Source U.S. Census, 2020

Number of children 0–4

401,856 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Poverty levels - children 0—8 below 200% poverty

42% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Median family income among households with children

$78,500.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Unemployment rate

3.3% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2024

Unemployment rate of parents

4% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force

64% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Children living in households with a high housing cost burden

29% Source 2021

Child Population by Race and Ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Race and Ethnicity

  • American Indian and Alaska Native (5%)
  • Asian (3%)
  • Black or African American (5%)
  • Hispanic or Latino (38%)
  • Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (.5%)
  • Two or more races (4%)
  • White, not Hispanic or Latino (38%)
Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Governor D R R R R
State House R R R R R
State Senate R R R R R

Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!

Early Childhood Education Programs

Program Name Program Length* Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy State Spending Per Child
Quality First Source: NIEER 2023 - Targeted Pre-K Policy (Birth through 5) Source: NIEER 2023 -
*Program length refers to hours of instruction per day

3-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023

Programs

  • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K (%2)
  • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start (%6)
  • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education (%3)
  • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None (%89)

4-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023

Programs

  • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K (%2)
  • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start (%9)
  • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education (%5)
  • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None (%84)

Workforce Link copied!

2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source: CSCCE

Role

  • Child Care Workers
    $11.76 (2017, adjusted)
    $11.97 (2019)
  • Preschool Teachers
    $14.04 (2017, adjusted)
    $13.87 (2019)
  • Preschool or Child Care Center Directors
    $18.88 (2017, adjusted)
    $18.96 (2019)

Funding Sources Link copied!

Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in Millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2024

Funding Source

  • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($216.1)
  • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($268.4)
  • CCDBG State Match ($23.3)
  • State-Funded Pre-K ($32.2)
  • MIECHV ($12.6)
  • IDEA Part C ($10.7)
  • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($6)
  • Preschool Development Grant Birth ($14)