First Things First Grantee Overview

First Things First Structure State Board Statewide Policy, Infrastructure, Programs, Coordination and Collaboration Regional Partnership Councils Local Decisions, Community Coordination and Collaboration, Targeted Programs Grantees and Partners Programs and Services for Children and Families

Tribal Relations Partnership with Arizona’s Indian Tribes and Nations The statute that created FTF recognized there are 22 federally recognized tribes and nations in Arizona. To honor the government-to-government relationship, each tribe was consulted to determine how they wanted to participate in FTF. Tribes have the option to have their tribal lands designated as a region or they can choose to be part of a geographic or county based region. 19 tribes participate in FTF and of the 28 RPC’s, 10 are Tribal RPC’s.

Our Mission First Things First is one of the critical partners in creating a family-centered, comprehensive collaborative and high-quality early childhood system that supports the development, health and early education of all Arizona’s children.

Why Build an Early Childhood System? To get measurable results for Arizona’s young children and their families Affecting school readiness requires comprehensive approaches and involvement from all sectors: Parents Health Mental health Family support Early care and education Higher education Faith communities Business Philanthropy Media Many others

Our Vision All Arizona children, birth through age 5, are ready to succeed in school and in life.

How First Things First Works

Goal Areas Health Quality and Access Professional Development Family Support Coordination Community Awareness Evaluation

Funding

Funding First Things First provides funding through: Statewide initiatives Regional strategies The process for distributing funds is conducted mainly through a competitive process and sometimes through a non-competitive process.

Standards of Practice & Evidence-Based Programs Funding is focused primarily on evidence-based programs. Emphasis on programs that demonstrate current, relevant and reliable evidence on program effectiveness provide the maximum benefit for children and families. For some programs, an evidence-informed, best practice or promising practice model is appropriate.

Accountability First Things First ensures accountability to Arizona’s children AND taxpayers through the monitoring and evaluation of effective programs and services that improve outcomes for children.

Grantee Roles & Responsibilities

Grantee Responsibilities Reporting Data Narrative Financial Working on Sovereign Tribal Lands Coordination and Collaboration Branding Compliance Quality Assurance and Financial Site Visits Technical Assistance (as needed)

Reporting Reporting requirements measure implementation based on FTF standards of practice for service delivery. Reported performance is reviewed based upon contracted service units, performance measures, and FTF standards of practice.

Data Reporting Submitted electronically through PGMS. Unique data templates for each strategy. Training provided on each template. All data and narrative reports are due on the 20th of the month after the quarter ends.

Narrative Reporting Standard template. Grantee can elaborate on the successes and challenges of the funded program. Tells the story behind the numbers. Reports are due on the 20th of the month after the quarter ends.

Financial Reporting Financial reimbursements may be submitted no less frequently than one per quarter and no more frequently than once per month. Finance-specific communication is submitted electronically through PGMS.

Working on Sovereign Tribal Lands Grantee shall comply with any requirements set forth by the tribal government in relation to essential function of the grant operation. Tribal Data Policy Tribal Approvals Regional Director First Things First recognizes Arizona tribes as sovereign nations that have the right to regulate research and data collection on their tribal lands. With this in mind, FTF is committed in following proper tribal policies and protocols when obtaining tribal approvals for data collection, analysis and reporting. Therefore, we recommend that grantees comply with requirements set forth by Tribal governments, which includes grant operations involved with data collection.

Coordination and Collaboration Coordination efforts in First Things First are guided by the concept that these efforts occur on a continuum leading from lower to higher intensity. Typically, formal collaboration is viewed as most intensive, requiring the greatest amount of work, commitment and risk. It also is the level at which true systems change is most likely to occur. FTF recognizes the importance of collaborative partnerships among community partners that utilize a variety of formal and informal mechanisms to facilitate coordination of services in the community.

Coordination and Collaboration Engage with other partners delivering the same or similar programs and services, i.e.: Attend regional or statewide grantee coordination meetings Attend annual FTF Early Childhood Summit Engage with stakeholders

Branding Grantees are required to acknowledge funding from First Things First Website/webpages Marketing materials In person Accomplished by: Displaying the FTF logo Written acknowledgement Verbal recognition

Branding See PGMS Dashboard for: Logo files Branding Guide New and improved!

Branding Submit print and electronic materials for brand review and approval via PGMS

Branding Acknowledging FTF Logo Usage Guidelines Do’s and Don’ts Approved written language Working with the media Much, much more…

Monitoring Quality assurance efforts are part of continuous quality improvement of strategy implementation and building of the early childhood development and health system. Financial monitoring activities ensure that we are good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Accountability Transparency

Quality Assurance First Things First conducts ongoing quality assurance with all grantees. Information gathered through quality assurance is used to determine areas of progress and improvement. Grant partners can expect at least one on-site visit during a grant cycle.

Financial Monitoring FTF conducts financial monitoring with all grantees to ensure adherence to contractual terms and conditions. Grantees can expect at least one on-site monitoring visit during a grant cycle.

Technical Assistance Opportunity to identify and address challenges. Integral part of continuous quality improvement. Appropriate for all types of grants. Important element of grants management best practices.

Contacting FTF Primary and official communications to and from FTF with grant partners is through the Fiscal Specialist. Fiscal Specialist triaging to the appropriate FTF staff. Regions, program, evaluation, communications, and IT address then issues/questions as they are brought forward.

Contacting FTF The contract notes system is to be used to document and communicate activity: Activity Log allows for communication between the grant partner and FTF to be documented. The grant partner can only view the activity log. FTF Communication Log allows for documents to be uploaded by both FTF and the grant partner.

Questions?