Early-childhood programs hang in balance

The Arizona Republic
October 25, 2010
Kerry Fehr-Snyder

Children's advocates say early-childhood education programs in Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee and the rest of the Valley are in jeopardy because First Things First is on the Nov. 2 ballot and voters must vote "no" if they want to retain them.

Ever since voters approved First Things First in a statistical landslide in November 2006, the program has funded early-childhood development and health.

Dental health and food banks have been staples of the program, which is funded by tobacco-tax money.

In Chandler, the money includes $25,000 through the Chandler Christian Community Center to provide emergency food boxes for 1,000 families with children ages birth through 5. It also includes $800,000 for the Chandler, Tempe Elementary and Kyrene school districts to expand the number of pre-kindergarten slots for children ages 3-5.

But with the state facing a continuing budget crisis, legislators say Arizona needs the money to help balance the budget. Gov. Jan Brewer won't say whether she'll cut other programs, namely K-12 education funding again, if the measure passes.

Kevin McCarthy, president of the Arizona Tax Research Foundation, has been a strong proponent of Prop. 302. In his argument favoring the measure, McCarthy noted that "as all Arizonans are now painfully aware, the recession has had a devastating effect on the Arizona economy."

"Proposition 302 would redirect 80 cents of our current tobacco taxes that are earmarked for the Early Childhood Development and Health fund to the state general fund to be appropriated for health and human services for children," he wrote. "If passed, Proposition 302 will plug a $324 million hole in the current state budget. Failure will result in further reductions in the programs that receive state support: K-12 schools, universities, low income health care, and prison spending. Or worse, taxpayers will once again be looked upon to close this chronic budget deficit."

Fifty-six individuals and groups have filed arguments opposing Prop. 302, ranging from Arizona State University President Michael Crow to former Arizona Govs. Rose Mofford and Raul Castro.

"I was passionate about getting this vital safety net for children passed in 2006. And I'm equally passionate about saving it by defeating Proposition 302 this Election Day. . . . We must make it possible for these children to begin school healthy and ready to achieve to their fullest potential," Mofford wrote.

Supporters of the early-education program declined to predict whether the program will be retained if Prop. 302 passes, but most involved say it will be difficult to get Arizona children ready for kindergarten.

"We as a community voted for this once before, and I do think the community wants to see this," said Trinity Donovan, a Chandler City Councilwoman, executive director of Chandler Christian Community Center.

The center received nearly $185,000 in grants from First Things First in July to create classes for parents and provide free child care while they attend the classes. The money created the Chandler Family Resource Center and programs for early-literacy development for parents whose first language is Spanish and their 3- to 4-year-old children.

In addition, First Things First gave money for emergency food boxes to 1,000 families with newborns and children 5.

Lastly, the grant provides other educational programs, social support activities.

"We were able to open the Family Resource Center because of First Things First," Donovan said.

On Wednesday, about 22 parents listened to guest speaker Frank Morino, a financial planner, talk about family finances and budgeting while their children played in an adjacent room.

A 3-year-old girl named Yamilet Martinez demonstrated the baby's learning laptop for a visitor and then drew a picture of teacher Traci Cox, who works for ICAN. Seven children are attending but usually the class includes about a dozen children. Twenty-three children are enrolled in the program. Lori Tapia, coordinator of the Family Resource Center, said the children have made great progress.

"There's been tremendous growth in this group since the first day," she said. "They came in and pulled every toy off the shelf, and they didn't really know how to pay with each other or pay attention."