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 […]
RIght Start Candidate Guide: Rhode Island Early Childhood Policy Priorities
En español Dear candidates for office: RIght from the Start is sharing the following information to help educate candidates for elected office about policy and budget priorities that will help families with young children in Rhode Island. We are providing the same information to all candidates for Governor. We are not able to endorse any […]
RI Gubernatorial Candidates’ Early Childhood Policy Forum – August 23rd
What will our next Governor do to ensure the well-being of our youngest children? Join us and Children’s Friend on August 23rd at 10am for a RI Gubernatorial Candidates’ Early Childhood Policy Forum!
RIght from the Start Letter to Senators Reed & Whitehouse Urges Inclusion of Child Care Funding In Budget Reconciliation Package
Dear Senators Reed & Whitehouse: I write to you on behalf of the RIght from the Start Campaign Steering Committee to express our disappointment in hearing the news that investments in child care and early learning may no longer being considered for part of the reconciliation package. The scale of the child care problem isn’t one that […]
2022 General Assembly Session Wrap-Up: Major Progress for Rhode Island Families With Young Children, But More Work Needed
Thanks to all of your advocacy and strong leadership from the Governor and General Assembly leaders, Rhode Island is strengthening policies and programs that help young children get off to the Right Start! Read our full 2022 Rhode Island General Assembly session wrap-up below. Child Care is Essential: Lifts the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) […]
RIght from the Start Campaign Reacts to Governor McKee Signing FY 2023 State Budget Into Law
“The budget passed by the General Assembly and signed into law today by Governor McKee contains numerous wins for the health and education of Rhode Island’s children and parents,” said Leanne Barrett, Senior Policy Analyst, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and Coordinator of the RIght from the Start Campaign, led by Beautiful Beginnings, Economic Progress Institute, […]
Fact Sheet: Early Intervention & First Connections Act 2022
H-7628 (Giraldo) & S-2546 (Valverde) Rhode Island’s Early Intervention program provides special education services to infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or disabilities. Early Intervention is the front door to the state’s public education system and the foundation of the special education system implemented by public schools for children from age 3 to high school graduation. Researchers have […]
Families with Babies & Toddlers: Register Now for the May 11th RI Strolling Thunder Virtual Rally!
We need families from all 39 Rhode Island cities and towns to ask elected officials to support state policies and funding that helps families with babies and young children get off to the right start! This includes advocating for passage of: The RI Child Care is Essential Act, to help more families access high-quality child […]