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 […]
RI Paid Leave Coalition & RIght from the Start Applaud Senate Bill No. 688’s Expansion of Paid Family Leave to 8 Weeks, Urge Inclusion of Increased Wage Supplement
Increased weeks for paid family leave are only viable if working families can afford to take the time off. PROVIDENCE, R.I.–The Rhode Island Paid Leave Coalition and the RIght from the Start campaign are applauding the Senate Labor Committee’s passage of Senate Bill 688 which would increase Rhode Island’s temporary caregiver benefits program (also known […]
RIght Start Celebrates Rhode Island Strolling Thunder 2021!
RIght from the Start and Rhode Island KIDS COUNT have been proudly participating in Strolling Thunder Rhode Island 2021. Working together with parents, advocates, educators, and legislators, we’ve held seven Zoom advocacy events that featured REAL families sharing REAL experiences and struggles to help advocate for the RIght Start Agenda of policies and legislation designed to help Rhode […]
Rhode Island Capitol TV Special: Child Care Makes The World Go Round
In case you missed it, watch the full version of Rhode Island Capitol TV’s “Childcare Makes the World Go Round” special produced in celebration of Rhode Island Child Care Awareness Day.