How does a child learn?
Where does learning begin?

Why are the years from birth to 5 years old so important?
Can parent and caregiver behaviors positively impact a child’s IQ?

Bright Start

Developed by the New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development and presented by Arizona’s Children Association, Bright Start is an in-home training and support program in Yavapai, La Paz and Mohave Counties that helps parents, kinship families, foster and adoptive parents and other caregivers of children 0-5 years old learn more about how children develop healthy brains.   

Services are available at no charge to families who have one or more children from birth through five years or who are expecting a new baby.  With the support of a trained, in-home visitor, families will learn simple, proven techniques that they can integrate into their everyday routines to maximize each child’s potential.

Past participants say:

?  “Now I know how to communicate and play with a child.”

?  “He is more interested in things I show him, and is more talkative.”

?  “I am more aware of what is wrong and when he just needs to cuddle.”

?  “We talk more with our child; play more music, and are developing positive routines and rituals.”

In Yavapai County:

Contact Virginia Hout at (928) 443-1991 or e-mail vhout@arizonaschildren.org. 

Community partners and agencies may fax referrals to (928) 771-2351.

This project was supported by First Things First and the Yavapai Regional Partnership Council. 

In La Paz and Mohave Counties:

Contact Sheryl Derby at (928) 344-8800 ext.173 or email sderby@arizonaschildren.org.

Bright Futures

The Bright Futures program is in collaboration with the Cochise County Regional Partnership. Available through Arizona's Children Association throughout Cochise County with the exception of the Willcox area.

Based on strength-based services that are family-centered and family-driven, services are provided in home to support parents in promoting development of their infants and young children.  In addition, services are designed to increase parenting effectiveness, skills, and confidence.

Eligible families must have at least one child between the ages from birth to five, who are not in the legal/physical custody of the State of Arizona. Services are provided in the family’s home, whether the infant/child’s caregivers are biological, adoptive or kinship family.  Home visits are scheduled at a time convenient to the family and are available after regular business hours and on weekends as necessary to meet the needs of busy families.

Services are readily accessible to families throughout Cochise County, excluding the Willcox area where Child & Family Resources is providing services.

What can you expect from the program?

• In Home Visitation
• Developmental Assessment of Children Birth to Five.
• Fun and Educational Activities using the New Directions Institute Brain Boxes for Instruction in Child Development and Infant Brain Development
• Assistance in Accessing Health Services and Community Resources
• Budgeting/Financial information
• Nutrition and meal planning
• Job Preparation
• Home management skills
• Parenting and Child Management skills

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Valley Tyminski at (520) 458-2131, ext. 1818 or contact her by email vtyminski@arizonaschildren.org.