Early childhood program prepares to fight for existence

BENSON — “Vote no on Proposition 302 when you go to the polls in November,” urges Jane Strain, relaying a message she wants everyone to hear.

As chairwoman of the First Things First Cochise Regional Partnership Council, Strain is battling to protect funding that state lawmakers want to take away from the early childhood program. First Things First, a statewide agency created to help young children from birth to 5 years of age, is in danger of elimination through Proposition 302, an initiative that will be going before voters in November.