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 […]
Strolling Thunder Stories – Parent Asiata Teah: Essential Workers Struggle to Find Affordable Child Care
Providence resident Asiata Teah and her husband are both essential workers, but haven’t been able to afford consistent, high-quality child care for their two-year-old son despite having two incomes. Asiata returned to her work when their son was three months old, and has relied on family and friends to care for him for two and […]
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Wellness Factsheet
H-7801 (Cassar) / S-2614 (DiMario) What is Infant and Early Childhood Mental Wellness? The developing capacity of a child from birth to age five to experience, express and regulate emotions, form close, secure interpersonal relationships, and explore their environment and learn, all in the context of family, community, and culture. Infant and early childhood mental wellness is the foundation for all future development and […]
Early Educator Pandemic Retention Bonus Program
Early educators employed at licensed child care providers could be eligible for $1,500 during the first application window to continue the vital work of supporting the State’s littlest learners. To learn more about the Early Educator Pandemic Retention Bonus Program, click here.