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.
Rhode Island Early Educator Higher Education Career Pathways – Challenges, Barriers, and Solutions
Several members of the RIght from the Start Steering Committee worked together to document systemic barriers and challenges that early educators face when trying to earn professional credentials, complete college degrees, and improve their wages and benefits while continuing to do the work they love – caring for and educating infants, toddlers, and young children […]
Vox News: Why the US doesn’t have universal child care (anymore)
Check out this excellent Vox News video history of child care in the United States. “President Richard Nixon set us on a path where any kind of federal child care policy would be as underfunded and stigmatized as possible. It’s a system that reinforces and deepens inequalities of race, gender, and class . . . But just […]
Betancur: It’s time to make voting safer and accessible in Rhode Island
Great Valley Breeze commentary by #RIghtStart steering committee member Marcela Betancur of the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University. #RIghtStart proudly supports the Let RI Vote coalition and legislation to expanded voting access by giving more Rhode Islanders, including busy parents of young children, the opportunity to vote by mail or early in-person. Betancur: It’s time to make […]
National Strolling Thunder 2022 Looking for Rhode Island Babies & Families
RIght Start partner ZERO TO THREE is looking for babies and families to represent Rhode Island at this year’s virtual Strolling Thunder on Capitol Hill on May 17th. Do you or someone you know have a story about child care, paid leave, economic security, infant and early childhood mental health, or Early Head Start? Learn more […]
Let’s Invest In Early Intervention So Infants & Toddlers with Developmental Challenges Can Thrive!
For more than 30-years Rhode Island families, like parent Moraya Muritala and her son Hakeem, have relied on Early Intervention (EI) specialists to help children under age 3 overcome developmental challenges. Unfortunately, Rhode Island’s EI providers haven’t received a rate increase in more than 20 years. Even though EI specialists are highly trained and have […]
Amazing RIght Start 2022 Kickoff Event!
On February 2nd we had an amazing 2022 RIght Start Agenda kickoff event featuring Governor Dan McKee, Speaker Joe Shekarchi, Senate President Dominic Ruggerio, and a host of other elected leaders, parents, and advocates all gathered to discuss legislation and budget priorities designed to ensure that ALL Rhode Island kids and families get off to […]
RIght Start Campaign Kickoff & 2022 Legislative and Budget Priorities
Join us Wednesday, February 2nd from 2:30-3:30 PM as we gather together virtually with Governor McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, Senate President Ruggerio, Senate Majority Leader McCaffrey, other elected champions, advocates, and parents to kickoff RIght from the Start’s 2022 legislative and budget priorities campaign. Please register here and we look forward to seeing you on February 2nd!