First Things First will be audited in the next year. A legislative committee approved the request for the review Thursday.
First Things First runs programs for early child health and development and is a voter-approved agency funded by the state’s tobacco tax. Last month, Arizona Senate President Andy Biggs called for an additional audit of the agency a day after the group formally opposed his proposal to use some its surplus to fund K-12 education.
Biggs said in a letter to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee "An audit of First Things First's performance is necessary as there has been no analysis on the impact that First Things First has had in terms of outcomes and achievement since its inception."
He went on to say he wants to have an understanding of how the programs comport with the education system.
Over the past eight years, First Things First has undergone multiple state, federal and independent reviews. The 2015 state audit shows the majority of the agency’s spending is on preschool, childcare, preventive health, family support and education.
