First Things First: Tackling the Readiness Gap for Our Youngest

The state agency First Things First aims to get infants, toddlers and preschoolers ready to learn. First Things First's Angela Rabago shares what parents, child care professionals and policymakers can do to boost that readiness.

Angela Rabago, Chief External Affairs Officer for First Things First.

In 2006, Arizona voters approved an initiative that led to the creation of First Things First, the state's first publicly funded agency dedicated to early childhood development.

Angela Rabago has been with the agency from the beginning and is now the Chief External Affairs Officer.

She leads First Things First efforts in areas such as government affairs, tribal affairs, and systems change strategy. 

As a fourth-generation Arizonan, she previously worked as a reporter and freelance writer for various publications covering topics such as education, Latino issues, and local municipalities.

Listen to our discussion on the successes and challenges Arizona families face in helping their children enter kindergarten and 1st grades ready to learn and what First Things First is doing to help ease the child care crisis and educate parents and policymakers about research-based solutions to help children thrive.

Click here to listen to our full interview on YouTube.