Yuma Region Resource Connection Guide

Designed to support families of young children in Yuma County

anew tool has launched to help parents and caregivers of babies, toddlers and preschoolers support the healthy development of their child by connecting them with free programs, services and organizations in the Yuma community.

The Yuma Region Resource Connection guide is a product of First Things First Yuma and Cocopah Tribe regions. as arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First (FTF) helps parents understand the importance of their child’s first five years, because from birth to age 5, a child’s brain grows more than at any other time in life.

“at the end of the day, our Yuma community thrives when we put children first,” said FTF Yuma Regional Director Rudy Ortiz.

He encourages everyone to check out the guide on the Firstthingsfirst.org website, by clicking on the Yuma Region or to access it immediately by scanning a special QR code on their mobile phone.

The 120-page guide offers that range from basic needs, such as child development, housing, nutrition and food and FTF’S Quality First program provides information about high-quality child care available in the community, along with scholarship information for parents who qualify to be able to send their child to a high-quality child care center or preschool.

There are also sections for family support for families with a child with a disability and special needs and a section geared toward military families. an additional section provides resources available for Cocopah Tribe families.

“The connection guide was developed to connect families to local resources,” said FTF Program Coordination specialist Francis martinez, who helped put together the guide. “We gathered information from 400 programs in Yuma County. also, throughout the guide you’ll also find information about the importance of early childhood development.”

The FTF Yuma staff worked to improve communication between local organizations to create a family-centered, comprehensive, collaborative and high-quality early childhood system that supports

the development, health and early education of all arizona’s children birth to age 5.

The guide reminds community members that strong families are the cornerstone of strong communities. Physical wellbeing and lifelong health begins at birth and continues to develop. The hope is that the community works together to enable Yuma children to become productive and contributing community members.

“The hope is that the guide will bring more awareness of the resources available in the area to better serve families of young children,” Ortiz said.

For more information on First Things First in Yuma County or to get involved, contact:

Rudy J. Ortiz, Regional Director - (928) 343-3020 or rjortiz@firstthingsfirst.org

Rosa Baez Ruiz, Community Outreach Coordinator (928) 343-3020 or rruiz@ Firstthingsfirst.org