Business Blog

As temperatures rise across Arizona, so do utility costs. For many families, especially those already managing tight household budgets, paying for electricity to keep their homes cool can become a real hardship. Power AZ is a utility assistance program designed to help eligible Arizona households pay their heating and cooling bills and avoid service interruptions.

What Is Power AZ?

Power AZ is a utility assistance program administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Alongside the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP, Power AZ helps qualifying households cover energy-related utility costs. Families may be eligible for either Power AZ or LIHEAP based on their income, but they cannot receive benefits from both programs during the same one-year eligibility period.

Who Is Eligible?

Households may qualify for Power AZ if their income is at or below 100 percent of the State Median Income. For example, this currently equals $8,998 per month for a household of four. In addition to income requirements, households must demonstrate a need for assistance paying energy-related utilities and meet citizenship or immigration requirements.

What Benefits Are Available?

Eligible households can receive meaningful financial support to help offset utility costs. Standard assistance ranges up to $640 within a 12-month period. Families experiencing an energy-related emergency, such as a shutoff notice, may also qualify for an additional one-time crisis benefit of up to $500. In most cases, payments are made directly to the household’s utility provider.

How to Apply

Applications for Power AZ can be completed online through the A to Z Arizona benefits portal. Households should select “Housing and Energy” to get started. Paper applications are also available for those who prefer or need them. Applicants will be asked to provide documentation including a current utility bill, photo identification, proof of income, citizenship or immigration documentation, and a disconnection notice if applicable.

What Happens After Applying?

Once an application is submitted, the household will be evaluated for eligibility for either Power AZ or LIHEAP based on income and other program criteria. Benefit amounts are determined by factors such as household income and energy usage.

Help Spread the Word

Power AZ expands access to utility assistance for families across Arizona, helping them stay safe and stable in their homes during extreme heat and cold. Sharing information about this program can make a real difference for families who may be struggling to keep up with rising energy costs.

For more information or to apply, visit AtoZ.az.gov or des.az.gov/liheap. Information is available in both English and Spanish, and assistance is offered statewide.

Building Stability Through Systems and Space at Robin’s Place Childcare

Stability at Robin’s Place Childcare did not come from a single improvement. It was built intentionally through changes to both business systems and physical environments, supported by a sustained partnership with Southwest Human Development’s Early Childhood Business Solutions team.

Together, these efforts helped transform day to day operations, create safer and more functional spaces, and lay the groundwork for long term program sustainability.

Creating Healthier, More Functional Learning Environments

When ECBS began working with Robin’s Place, several areas of the program environment presented ongoing challenges. Countertops were worn and peeling, making sanitation difficult. Storage was limited and inefficient. The outdoor space lacked consistent shade and clearly defined areas for play. The staff breakroom was cluttered and hard to use.

Targeted facility improvements helped address these needs. Smooth, easy to clean countertops replaced damaged surfaces, supporting daily sanitation. Cabinets were repainted, updated with new hardware, and reorganized to improve storage and workflow. The outdoor play area was enhanced with turf and shade, creating a safer and more welcoming environment for children. The staff breakroom was reorganized with designated storage to better support staff efficiency and well being.

These improvements strengthened health and safety while also creating a more welcoming experience for children, families, and staff.

Strengthening Business Systems for Long Term Success

While environment improvements addressed immediate needs, Robin’s Place was also at a pivotal moment in its business journey. As first time business owners taking over an established childcare center, the directors were deeply committed to quality care but needed stronger systems to support long term stability.

Over two years of business coaching, ECBS worked closely with Robin’s Place to build core operational systems. Coaching focused on accurate financial records and realistic budgeting, stronger enrollment tracking and inquiry follow up, automated billing, subsidy invoicing, and fee collection, staffing decisions aligned with enrollment and ratio requirements, and the transition from paper-based systems to digital tools. Now Robin’s Place is transitioning from our intensive coaching to our Shared Services Hubs program for additional back-office support and community building.

These changes helped shift the program from reactive problem solving to proactive, strategic management.

Meaningful Results

As new systems took hold, Robin’s Place saw clear and measurable outcomes. The program achieved a 4 Star Quality First rating. Enrollment stability and conversion improved. Cash flow and financial planning became stronger and more predictable. Operational efficiency increased, allowing leadership to focus more intentionally on program quality and growth.

A Provider’s Perspective

The owners of Robin’s Place describe the ECBS partnership as transformational.

“Over the past two years, Robin’s Place Childcare has benefitted tremendously from the business coaching provided by Southwest Human Development’s Early Childhood Business Solutions team. Their support came at a pivotal time for us. As first time business owners taking over an established childcare center, we were deeply committed to quality care but lacked the business framework necessary to ensure long term sustainability.

The coaching helped us step back and view our operations from a strategic, big picture perspective. Guidance around balancing enrollment, expenses, and revenue had a profound impact on our decision making. We were able to make informed choices about staffing, enrollment targets, and financial planning while maintaining appropriate staff to child ratios and high quality care.

Transitioning from a paper based attendance system to a digital platform significantly improved our efficiency and allowed us to focus more time and energy on serving children and families rather than managing manual processes. The ECBS team brings professionalism, deep industry knowledge, and a genuine commitment to strengthening early childhood programs. Their partnership has had a lasting and measurable impact on the stability and growth of our program.”

Robert Murdzev and Erin Murdzev
Owners and Directors, Robin’s Place Childcare

Why This Story Matters

Robin’s Place Childcare demonstrates how targeted business coaching combined with intentional environment improvements can strengthen operational foundations, support high quality care, improve staff efficiency and morale, and build long term sustainability for early childhood programs.

How a Child Care Program Doubled Its Impact and Found Joy in Business

Every so often, you encounter a story that perfectly captures the spirit of transformation, resilience, and the joy that comes from believing in what’s possible. Today, Early Childhood Business Solutions wants to share such a story, one that’s a testament to the power of partnership, perseverance, and purposeful growth. 

When Tiffany, a Lead ECBS Business Management Specialist first connected with Angelita, they prioritized building a relationship by listening to her story and understanding her dreams, both personal and professional, in addition to the pain points in her business. It quickly became clear that she wasn’t simply caring for four children; she had a vision for more. 

Through her dedication and willingness to grow, that vision has powerfully come to life. Today, Angelita’s Little Angels Group Home is serving ten children, which is more than double the number she started with. She is also offering 24-hour child care for her community workforce. This growth represents much more than just numbers; it signifies a massive increase in her impact on her community, securing her future and purpose. 

Strategy and Intentional Growth
To support this transformation, we implemented a few key strategies along the way. We focused on using the Iron Triangle business formula to ensure her program was not only full but also financially strong and sustainable. We also implemented a Child Care Management Software to streamline her daily operations.

A pivotal moment occurred when she asked, “Can I really afford to expand?”. By sitting down together and creating a projection budget, we gave her the clarity, confidence, and plan she needed to move forward based on strategy and intention, rather than fear. The transformation led to tangible results that define joy in business:

Growth in Impact: She started out certified to care for just four children, and today, she is running a fully licensed group home serving ten.

Systemization: She moved away from managing everything with paper and sticky notes, adopting automated systems that reduced stress, saved time, and allowed her to focus on what truly matters.

Financial Confidence: She shifted from operating without a clear budget to having real data at her fingertips. Tools like the Iron Triangle and SMART goals stopped being abstract concepts and became her personalized roadmap for confident, informed decision-making

Overcoming Initial Hurdles
During our work, several challenges common to early childhood providers were addressed, showcasing the provider’s strong commitment.
One primary challenge involved financial literacy, specifically understanding concepts like Profit & Loss statements, budgeting, and the necessity of documenting income and expenses. Initially, these processes felt overwhelming, but through step-by-step explanations, template use, and reviewing real examples, she gained clarity and began consistently tracking her financial information, leading to a stronger sense of financial awareness and accountability.

Technology presented another area of challenge, as the provider had limited experience with digital tools. She gradually became more open to using technology through gradual introduction and hands-on demonstrations. Learning Child Care Management Software was a new experience, particularly features such as digital attendance, billing, and recordkeeping. However, with guided practice and reassurance that learning takes time, she committed to using these systems consistently, including for electronic signatures.

We also established simple routines, checklists, and time blocking strategies to address challenges like time management and the overwhelming balance between caregiving and administrative paperwork. Furthermore, documentation and communication with families improved significantly, through the use of organized templates and the incorporation of digital tools for reminders and updates.

Key Take Away!! Don’t Go It Alone Here is the most important reminder for all business owners: she didn’t do it all alone. 

Joy in business doesn’t require carrying everything on your shoulders. It means building systems that support you, establishing a network of trusted mentors and tools to lean on, and remembering that your goals, your why, are absolutely worth fighting for. With ongoing support from Early Childhood Business Solutions and her own strong effort, she has strengthened her business operations and continues to grow in confidence as both an educator and a business owner. 

Early Childhood Business Solutions is proud to report that Angelita’s Little Angel’s Childcare Group Home also had zero deficiencies found at the time of the Mid-year Inspection conducted on 7/18/25.  

Supporting Arizona Child Care with Vital Connections 

Continuing our celebration of National Small Business Week, Early Childhood Business Solutions (ECBS) is proud to spotlight Arizona Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) as a key business resource for our child care community. We are excited to feature CCR&R in our May Business Speaker Series. 

This event is open to all child care providers across Arizona. Join us to learn how CCR&R can help market your business to families seeking care. CCR&R will demonstrate how their provider profiles can assist families in finding child care businesses that meet their needs. Additionally, the CCR&R website offers a wealth of resources, making it a valuable partner in child care support. 

How to Register: 

• Business Support Line: (602) 265-4768 

• Email: [email protected] 

• Website: https://earlychildhoodbusinesssolutions.com/ 

To learn more about Arizona Child Care Resource & Referral, visit https://azccrr.com/ 

For more information on National Small Business Week, visit the SBA at https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week. 

Join us and take your child care business to new heights! 

_{Honoring Arizona’s Newest Child Care Program}

From May 4th to May 10th, 2025, National Small Business Week will be celebrated by the Small Business Administration (SBA), highlighting the achievements of entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Early Childhood Business Solutions (ECBS) program joins the SBA in recognizing Arizona’s child care small business owners, who are essential to our workforce and communities. ECBS proudly provides statewide business support, helping child care entrepreneurs and established programs achieve financial stability and offer quality care to families. On Saturday, May 3, 2025, ECBS team members attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for Tiny Cactus Daycare in Parker, Arizona. Sponsored by The Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce, the event celebrated this vital new child care program that will serve local families.

Tiny Cactus Daycare’s owner, Priscilla Perez, received comprehensive support from ECBS in starting her business. This included planning and implementation, technology training, and regulatory compliance. Priscilla worked closely with Evie Thompson, ECBS HUB Business Coordinator who provided her with the necessary training and knowledge to meet her business goals and open her child care on schedule.

Securing funding is a common challenge for new child care entrepreneurs looking to open or expand their programs. Priscilla was able to overcome this obstacle with grant funding from First Things First. This funding allowed Priscilla and Evie to focus on business planning, budgeting, technical training, and other processes required to successfully launch Tiny Cactus Daycare.

The ECBS team was deeply moved on Saturday, not only by the successful opening of a new child care program but also by the palpable sense of pride and community in Parker celebrating Tiny Cactus Daycare. Priscilla was surrounded by family, friends, and community members, making it clear that this venture was a labor of love and a joyous occasion for everyone present.

Join ECBS in congratulating Priscilla on the opening of Tiny Cactus Daycare. If you are a child care provider in Arizona or an aspiring entrepreneur, contact the Early Childhood Business Solutions at (602) 265-4768, [email protected], or visit our website at https://earlychildhoodbusinesssolutions.com/ to learn how we can help you achieve your business goals. For more information on National Small Business Week, visit the SBA at https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week. Special acknowledgement and thanks to First Things First Colorado River Indian Tribes Region and Colorado River Indian Tribes. Photos by Official Foto