GRAHAM COUNTY — Pima, Thatcher, Safford and Graham County all agree — April 5-11 is the Week of the Young Child in the Gila Valley.
“High quality early childhood experiences lay the foundation for life-long success, benefitting not only children and family, but also the broader community through improved educational outcomes and economic growth,” said Shari Elkins, director for the Graham and Greenlee region of First Things First.
In March, the Pima, Safford and Thatcher councils, and the Graham County Board of Supervisors, all unanimously adopted resolutions supporting the Week of the Young Child.
First Things First focuses on early childhood development, in the areas of health and education. Locally, First Things First supports the Safford Library’s early literacy programs, the Community Baby Shower and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which sends an age-appropriate book every month to registered children up to age 5.
Funding for First Things First comes from the state’s tobacco tax, which Elkins said has been on the decline due to fewer people smoking. She said the organization is working with the state Legislature to include a tax on vaping products to keep funding coming into the organization.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
