Elected Leaders, Advocates and Parents Launch 2022 RIght Start Agenda of Early Childhood Education, Family Health and Budget Priorities
RIght from theStart Campaign rolls out 2022 legislative and budget priorities to help ensure that ALL Rhode Island young children and families get off to the right start in life. PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Today via Zoom conference, elected leaders including Governor Dan McKee, Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey, advocates, […]
RIght Start Agenda: 2023 Legislative & Budget Priorities
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 budget investments and policies that help […]
Child Care FORWARD Task Force Agreements & Goals
In 2021 RIght from the Start convened a task force of providers, advocates, and elected leaders to develop a 10-year vision and policy priorities that would improve access to high-quality child care, preschool, and paid family leave. After extensive collaboration, the task force reached the following final agreements and goals: The following organizations participated on the […]
2022 RIght from the Start Campaign Champions
The RIght from the Start campaign is proud to have the support of so many organizations working to support families and their children from prenatal to Pre-K! 2022 Campaign Champions American Academy of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Chapter Beautiful Beginnings Books Are Wings The Children’s Workshop Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) Dr. Day Care Economic Policy […]
Rhode Island PBS Weekly: The Child Care Dilemma
From parents struggling to find reliable, affordable, quality child care, to programs struggling to remain open due to staffing challenges and increased operating costs, to low wages for child care educators and historic underinvestment in the sector, Rhode Island PBS Weekly takes a deep dive into the child care crisis in Rhode Island. “The Child Care […]
The Building Blocks Needed to Address Rhode Island’s Child Care Crisis & Ensure Affordable, Quality Child Care for Our Working Parents
Rhode Island’s child care system is in crisis due to a combination of historic underfunding, the unprecedented impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and low pay for child care educators that has created a staffing emergency. Read our one pager on the building blocks needed to address this crisis by investing in affordable, quality child […]
Child Care Providers & Advocates Call On State To Immediately Invest ARPA Funds To Help Families
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A broad coalition of 40 child care providers, advocates, and community organizations have co-signed a letter urging Governor Dan McKee and the General Assembly to immediately utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help working families access reliable, affordable, quality child care. “Rhode Island’s child care system is in crisis mode due to the […]
Senate President Ruggerio: Investing in Affordable Child Care a Top Priority
In a recent interview with WPRI 12 Newsmakers, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said that investing in affordable child care is a top priority to help working families and Rhode Island’s economy. Thank you Senate President and the Rhode Island Senate for your leadership on this critical issue. Just like roads and bridges, child care gets […]
RIght from the Start Final FY22 Budget & Legislative Session Update
Dear RIght from the Start supporters: The 2021 legislative session has concluded and the FY22 state budget is final. Thanks to your advocacy we have made some significant progress in advancing state policies and budgets to help young children, but we still have a long way to go. Advocacy with our Rhode Island congressional delegation […]
RIght Start State Budget & Legislative Priorities Update
The House Finance Committee passed a proposed FY22 state budget on June 17th. Here is a summary of what is included, excluded, next steps, and the status of RIght Start Agenda legislation pending before the General Assembly. Child Care Assistance Program: Total funding for the Child Care Assistance Program FY 22 budget is not clear at this point, but […]