Early Childhood Priorities For The FY 2027 State Budget Now Being Crafted By Governor McKee
As Governor Dan McKee’s administration crafts the FY 2027 state budget, RIght from the Start is calling for critical investments to help ensure all babies and young children get off to the right start in life, regardless of family income, race, ethnicity, immigration status, or zip code. These budget priorities include: Early Care & Education […]
Rhode Island Parent Advocacy Landscape Report
In the Spring of 2024, Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE) in partnership with Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and the RIght from the Start Campaign explored how Rhode Island can best leverage parent leaders as essential advocates to strengthen early childhood programs and services for young children. Read the full report here.
5 Wins For Rhode Island Babies, Kids & Families This Legislative Session
The General Assembly recently wrapped up their 2025 session. Thanks to your advocacy and working with Governor McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, Senate President Lawson, and our legislative champions, we achieved 5 big wins for Rhode Island babies, kids, and families: 1) Improved Paid Family Leave – On the last night of session, the General Assembly approved […]
Strolling Thunder 2025 A Big Success!
May 1st Strolling Thunder 2025 at the State House was a huge success! Thank you to our parents, advocates, and elected champions from the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Rhode Island Senate, and R.I. General Treasurer James Diossa for coming together to advocate for policies and investments to improve child care, early education, and family […]
Small Steps, Big Impact: Helping Rhode Island’s Babies & Young Children Thrive in 2025
Check out our new fact sheet on small steps the Rhode Island General Assembly can take to have a big impact for babies and young children this legislative session. (Download English, En español)
Rhode Island Strolling Thunder 2026
Strolling Thunder 2026 was a big success! Thank you to all of the families, early childhood educators, advocates, and members of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and Rhode Island Senate who joined us to advocate for policies and investments that support Rhode Island’s babies, young children, and families!
Share Your Story
We need Rhode Island parents and families to share their stories about accessing affordable, quality child care, finding a pediatrician, and access to child health services. Please use the links below to share your story on these important issues facing Rhode Island. Your stories are incredibly powerful when we speak with legislators about legislation and […]
Share Your Story: How Has the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Helped You?
Are you a low or moderate-income working parent and have you received a tax refund through the state and federal Earned Income Tax Credit? How has this tax refund helped you cover household expenses? What would you be able to do if your tax refund was larger? Please share your story! Submit your story—written or […]
WPRI Community Focus On The High Cost Of Child Care In Rhode Island
In case you missed it, Lisa Hildebrand of the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children recently joined WPRI-12 for a Community Focus conversation on the high cost of child care in Rhode Island and legislation before the General Assembly to address the issue and improve access.
RIght Start Joins With Legislative Champions To Advocate For Child Care Is Essential Act
On April 1st, we joined with with Representative Grace Diaz and Senator Lammis Vargas at the Comprehensive Community Action Program Child Development Center in Cranston to urge passage of the Child Care Is Essential Act to make high-quality child care more affordable and accessible for Rhode Island families. Thank you Rep. Diaz and Sen. Vargas […]