The Pascua Yaqui Tribe Incident and Community Response Team has been selected as the 2021 First Things First Pascua Yaqui Tribe Champion for Young Children.
The award is given to local champions who actively volunteer their time to raise public awareness of the importance of early childhood development and health. Champions spend a significant amount of time volunteering with FTF and building public awareness about the importance of early childhood issues.
The Incident and Community Response Team helps families learn about the importance of the early years in their babies, toddlers and preschoolers’ lives by distributing parenting information, such as Arizona Parents Kits, which are provided free of charge to parents of all newborns in Arizona before they leave the hospital or birthing center, and First Things First resource bags during their food deliveries on the tribe. The Incident Response Team also handed out FTF-sponsored children’s books and bookmarks when distributing personal protective equipment to families and healthcare workers.
We recently caught up with Tribal Liaison Herminia Frias.
Question: Why do you feel early childhood development and health is important?
Answer: By offering a more positive and healthy environment for young children, our community as a whole benefits. We must encourage our young ones and their parents, by addressing the social determinants of health, which affect their day-to-day lives.
Question: How do you suggest other people in your community get involved?
Answer: Be a positive role model for children, and give them the time they ask for. This could mean reading to them, telling stories or go on walks.
