Liz Barker-Alvarez with First Things First and Jared Cook with Raising Arizona Preschool E26
From birth to age 5, children’s brains develop faster than any other time in their lives and set the foundation for future learning. That’s why Arizonans created First Things First—a voter-initiated, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to prepare young children to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Local regional councils, staffed by community volunteers, decide how funds are spent to support the healthy development and learning of Arizona’s young children.
First Things First invests early childhood funds in programs and services that address the development, education and health needs of children birth to age 5 (before kindergarten). We administer statewide initiatives and award regional and statewide grants through competitive RFGAs (requests for grant applications). Funds are allotted to Arizona communities based on their population of young children (birth to age 5), and emphasis placed on getting resources directly to children and families through a network of community providers. Everything we do is strategically designed to help more Arizona children arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed.
Liz Barker Alvarez is Chief Policy Advisor for First Things First. In this role, she is responsible for strategic planning and oversight of FTF’s efforts to build awareness of the importance of early childhood among Arizona’s elected leaders and to work with policymakers at all levels to promote public policy that improves outcomes for young children. Her unit’s work encompasses government affairs, tribal affairs, and statewide media.
In addition, Liz advises the First Things First Board and Executive Team on communication/public affairs matters and serves as the primary media spokesperson for First Things First.
Follow First Things First on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Raising Arizona Preschools are high quality childcare centers in Glendale and Phoenix Arizona, They have been in business for over 14 years serving the community. 
They believe each child has a story about who they are and how they fit in this world and believe they are helping to write Chapter 1 in the lives of the children in their care.
They use a program called Mindful Mornings each day that teaches mindfulness and self affirmations to the smallest among us to help write a beautiful first chapter in the lives of so many of Arizona’s Children. Employing over 40 teachers its a great place to work and make a difference in our community.
Jared Cook has been in childcare for over 13 years, having come from the finance field it took him several years to get a deep understanding of the foreign world that is childcare.
But once he saw the vision of how a child’s life is shaped in the first 5 years, he realized that he had found his passion and has worked hard to build 3 high quality schools in Arizona.
Jared is a proud father of 4 beautiful girls that all attended his preschools in their formative years.
Follow Raising Arizona Preschools on Facebook.
About Arizona Good Business
What is good business? What are local businesses doing to build a better Arizona?
Join Arizona Good Business to hear from local companies who are:
- Centering purpose at the forefront of business
- Creating social well-being for the community
- Prioritizing sustainability and positive environmental practices
- Growing strong company cultures through building authentic teams
- Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion are involved in all business decisions
Arizona Good Business features local business leaders that are redefining what it means to do good business.
About Your Host
Thomas Barr is the Executive Director for Local First Arizona, the largest coalition of local businesses in North America. He advocates for a strong local business community that contributes to building vibrancy, equity, and prosperity across the state. A proud Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, Thomas leads the business coalition of Local First Arizona by advocating for the economic and cultural benefits provided by building strong local economies.
Thomas steers the strategic direction of LFA’s major programs and initiatives as well as the engagement of over 3000 businesses across Arizona. As Executive Director, Thomas guides a team of statewide senior directors overseeing the execution of LFA’s communication strategy, major initiatives and key partnerships, as well as the collaboration of over 30 staff implementing work in entrepreneurship programs, small business advocacy, local food initiatives, sustainability, urban development and community building. He frequently speaks to groups locally and nationally, presenting the impact of Local First Arizona and the importance of local economy work in building prosperity.
Outside of Local First Arizona, Thomas has participated in volunteering his time to many causes and organizations throughout the Valley including Young Nonprofit Professionals – Phoenix, Equality Arizona, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Heritage Square Foundation and Phoenix Legal Action Network. Additionally, Thomas is a 2018 Phoenix Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, alumni of Arizona Leading for Change, and current participant in Valley Leadership Institute’s 40th cohort.
Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Local First AZ
Local First Arizona is a nonprofit organization that celebrates independent, locally owned businesses. We support, promote and advocate for a strong local business community and raise public awareness of the economic and cultural benefits provided by strong local economies. Local businesses contribute to a sustainable economy for Arizona and build vibrant communities we’re all proud to call home.
