Statewide Partnership Forms in Support of Arizona’s Youngest Children
Efforts focus on quality early education and development
Phoenix, AZ (April 29, 2005) Partners for Arizona’s Children has been established in an effort to ensure the needs of Arizona’s youngest children, ages 0 to 6, are among the community’s top priorities. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2004 Kids Count Data Book, Arizona ranks 45th in overall child well-being, 38th in child poverty, 47th in the percentage of two-year olds who are fully immunized, and 44th in percent of uninsured children. This public-private partnership brings 32 organizations together, including all United Ways in Arizona, to collectively create and maximize the future potential of Arizona’s children.
“If we expect to be competitive in the global marketplace, we must have homegrown talent,” said Dave Howell, chairman of Partners for Arizona’s Children and Vice President in Community & Government Relations for Wells Fargo Bank. “This partnership will work toward ensuring Arizona’s children enter school ready, laying the foundation for future success.”
Partners for Arizona’s Children rallies the support of community leaders, parents, businesses, educators, among others to increase the understanding around the importance of investing in the state’s youngest children. The partnership’s work focuses in three areas:
- Social Marketing:
This is an awareness campaign motivating people to invest in children. The campaign helps in educating the general public around the educational needs surrounding youth in Arizona, ages 0 to 6.
- Community Based Projects:
Each partner will take on various projects supporting the partnership. For example, United Ways in Arizona are using Early Learning Opportunities Act funds to enhance local programs.
- Research/Evaluation:
The purpose is to provide the partnership with research-based updates and/or recommendations to help guide the projects they will take on. An example is a commissioned ASU Economic Modeling Report evaluating the childcare industry and its impact statewide.
About Partners for Arizona’s Children
Partners for Arizona’s Children is a partnership, convened by Valley of the Sun United Way and comprised of non profit organizations, foundations, corporations, and local government organizations who share a common vision of ensuring that young children are ready to succeed when entering school. Partners include: Arizona Child Care Association, Arizona Community Foundation, Arizona Department of Education – Early Childhood Education, Association for Supportive Child Care, ASU West – College of Education, Bank One, Chicanos Por La Causa, Children’s Action Alliance, City of Phoenix Head Start, City of Phoenix Human Services, Department of Economic Security, Fowler School District, Mesa United Way, N Power Arizona, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Pulliam Charitable Trust, Rio Salado College, St. Joe’s Hospital Catholic Health Center West, St. Luke’s Health Initiatives, Stardust House, State of Arizona School Readiness Board, The BHHS Legacy Foundation, The Piper Trust, United Way of Northern Arizona, United Way of Pinal County, United Way of Prescott, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, United Way Yuma, Valley of the Sun United Way, and Wells Fargo Bank.
About Valley of the Sun United Way
Valley of the Sun United Way is focused on addressing the issues that matter most in our community. Partnering with businesses, organizations and individuals, Valley of the Sun United Way improves lives and delivers meaningful results throughout Maricopa County. To learn more about Valley of the Sun United Way, visit vsuw.org. Results that Matter.
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