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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

    4% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2022

    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

    Public Pre-K Program Name

    Quality First Source: NIEER 2023

    Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy

    Targeted Pre-K Policy (Birth through 5) Source: NIEER 2023

    Early Childhood Education Programs (3-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023

    Programs

    • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (3%)
    • 3-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (6%)
    • Other/None (91%)

    Early Childhood Education Programs (4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023

    Programs

    • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (4%)
    • 4-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (8%)
    • Other/None (88%)

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    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, 2022

    Funding Source

    • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($212.3)
    • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($196.6)
    • CCDBG State Match ($11.5)
    • CCDBG COVID Relief Allocations - CARES, CRRSE, ARPA (CCDF & Stabilization) ($1300.0)
    • State-Funded Pre-K ($14.5)
    • MIECHV ($10.9)
    • IDEA Part C ($14.2)
    • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($8.7)