RIght from the Start Kicks Off 2023 Campaign at Rhode Island State House
Thank you to everyone who joined us for yesterday’s #RIghtStart 2023 campaign kickoff! The energy was amazing. We look forward to working together to support budget investments and legislation to ensure ALL RI kids get off to the right start, working families can find quality, affordable child care, and our early educators earn #worthywages! See our full #RIghtStart […]
2023 RIght Start Agenda
RIght Start 2023 Agenda PDF – En Español With large state budget surpluses for the past two years, increased federal support for early childhood programs, and a strong economy, now is the time for Rhode Island to invest in building strong systems to make the state the best place to have a family. Rhode Island needs state […]
RIght Start FY 2024 State Budget Priorities
Governor Dan McKee’s FY 2023 state budget included transformative investments in our children, families, and Rhode Island’s early education system. From Cover All Kids, to extending postpartum Medicaid coverage for new moms, to significant funds to support our child care programs, these investments, ultimately enacted into law, amounted to the boldest child care plan proposed […]
5 Things To Include In Rhode Island’s Pre-K Expansion Plan
We’re thrilled that the Rhode Island Department of Education, Rhode Island Department of Human Services, and the Children’s Cabinet are developing a plan to expand access to high-quality, publicly funded preschool for three- and four-year-olds through child care programs, Head Start, and public schools! Here are 5 key things to include in Rhode Island’s Pre-K […]
Rhode Island Foundation Supports RIght from the Start Campaign’s Advocacy Efforts With Grant
We’re thrilled to share that the Rhode Island Foundation has awarded the RIght from the Start campaign grant funding to continue our work on behalf of Rhode Island’s young children (0-5) and their families. A huge thank you to the Rhode Island Foundation for supporting our work!
RIght Start Draft 2023 Policy & Budget Priorities
At the RIght from the Start campaign we’re already gearing up for the 2023 Rhode Island General Assembly session. Below are our draft 2023 policy and budget priorities designed to ensure that ALL Rhode Island kids, regardless of zip code, race, ethnicity, or family income, get off to the right start in life! We’d love […]
RIght from the Start Campaign Urges Rhode Island to Apply for PDG Birth to Five Federal Grant to Better Coordinate Early Care & Learning Programs
The RIght from the Start Campaign Steering Committee would like to urge Rhode Island leaders to submit an application for the newly announced PDG Birth to 5 Planning Grant opportunity. We know there is a planned discussion about the opportunity at Wednesday’s Children’s Cabinet meeting and would like to offer our ideas, support, and help […]
ZERO TO THREE Case Study Highlight’s RIght from the Start and our work on behalf of Rhode Island’s young children and families
Our national partner ZERO TO THREE has put together a great overview of our work at RIght from the Start advocating for policies, legislation, and investments to improve the lives of Rhode Island’s young children and their families. Read the full case study here. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and we thank ZERO TO THREE for […]
Gubernatorial Candidates Talk Early Childhood Priorities at Children’s Friend/RIght Start Forum
On August 23rd, we partnered with Children’s Friend to host a great conversation about early childhood policy issues and investments with Rhode Island’s gubernatorial candidates. You can watch the full forum here (En español) and see below for news coverage of the event. Gubernatorial candidates partake in forum on early childhood issues, ABC 6 Candidates for governor […]
Improving Access to High-Quality Early Intervention & Preschool Special Education Services in Rhode Island
In 2021 and 2022, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE) co-chaired a planning process to identify priorities to improve access to high-quality Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education in Rhode Island. The planning team centered the voices of parents of young children with special needs that live in the four […]