State-funded family resource center coming to Queen Creek

Queen Creek will be getting a family resource center as part of a $750,000 grant from First Things First, the state’s only public funding source dedicated to early childhood development.

The Queen Creek Town Council unanimously approved the grant’s acceptance through an intergovernmental agreement as part of its Nov. 20 meeting. The approval was on the council’s consent agenda in which all items are enacted with one motion and vote.

The grant comes from Arizona Early Childhood Development Southeast Maricopa Regional Partnership Council-First Things First and runs from 2025 through 2027.

The family resource center will be operated by Wonderwise Preschool, 20365 E. Ocotillo Road. Under the agreement, the town receives the funding only after services have been provided for the family resource center. Wonderwise Preschools will invoice the town for expenses, the town will pay Wonderwise and then seek reimbursement from First Things First, according to a staff report.

Under the agreement, funding for the center in 2025 will be $150,000 and $300,000 in 2026 and 2027.

“The contract will not allow Wonderwise to seek reimbursement beyond the amount available to the town from the grant from First Things First. Therefore, the town will not be expending any money on the early childhood resource center, and it will be entirely funded by the grant and Wonderwise preschool,” the report continued.

First Things First’s family resource centers offer multigenerational, family-focused resources and services, including parenting classes, aimed at children from birth to age 5.

First Things First was established by voters in 2006 through Proposition 203.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org.