Boston Globe RI Commentary: Amid Soaring Child Care Costs & Staff Shortages, Investing In Child Care Is Crucial For Rhode Island’s Future
The Boston Globe Rhode Island recently ran a great commentary by our partners at the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island about the need to invest in our state’s child care infrastructure: It’s no secret that raising children is expensive, but the cost of child care in Rhode Island, especially for infants and toddlers, is more […]
Child Care Is Essential Act Fact Sheet
Check out our full fact sheet on the 2025 Rhode Island Child Care is Essential Act, critical legislation that will: Allow more families to qualify for the RI Child Care Assistance Program by raising family income limits. Eliminate child support enforcement as an eligibility requirement for the Child Care Assistance Program. Create a separate rate […]
RIght Start 2025 Fact Sheets
Please find fact sheets below for all of our 2025 legislative priorities: Child Care Is Essential Fact Sheet Rhode Island Pre-K Implementation & Expansion Guidelines Fact Sheet Early Childhood IDEA Task Force 2025 Fact Sheet Infant/Toddler Workforce Funding & RI Pre-K Related Legislation Fact Sheet Paid Family Leave Fact Sheet Earned Income Tax Credit & […]
Rhode Island Pre-K Implementation & Expansion Guidelines Fact Sheet
Read our full fact sheet on legislation sponsored by Rep. Joseph McNamara and Sen. Hanna Gallo (H-5199/S-0394) to establish guidelines for the continued implementation and expansion of public, high quality pre-k programs including competitive wages and benefits for prekindergarten and Head Start teachers, and a 30% funding set-aside of pre-k expansion funds to sustain and […]
Early Childhood IDEA Task Force 2025 Fact Sheet
Check out our full fact sheet on H-5164 by Rep. Lauren Carson and S-0231 by Sen. Bridget Valverde to establish an Early Childhood IDEA Task Force to help increase access to these important services for babies and young children.
Rhode Island PBS Weekly Profiles Successful Childcare For Childcare Educators Pilot
Watch this excellent Rhode Island PBS Weekly piece on the challenges facing Rhode Island’s early education workforce and how the Child Care for Child Care Educators program is helping support early educators with young children so they can remain in a job they love. THIS is why we need to make funding for the Child […]
More Rhode Island Families Now Qualify For Subsidized Child Care
Attention RI families with young children: The state has expanded eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program. If you are struggling with the high cost of child care, you may be eligible. See the chart below and visit dhs.ri.gov for more information.
RIAEYC & RI Dept. of Human Services Recognize Excellence in the RI Early Childhood Education Registered Apprenticeship Program
Building Futures recently recognized the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) and the RI Department of Human Services (DHS) for the Rhode Island Early Childhood Registered Apprenticeship Program at the Apprenticeship Works Reception, celebrating National Apprenticeship Week and registered apprentices across the state. Kasey Johnson and Amy Weinstein of Building Futures […]
41 Rhode Island Child Care, Policy, Education & Business Leaders Sign Joint Letter Urging Governor McKee To Include Two Key Provisions In His FY 2026 State Budget
A broad coalition of 41 leading Rhode Island organizations have signed onto a petition urging Governor McKee to remove a regressive requirement that is preventing eligible Rhode Island families from accessing the state’s Child Care Assistance Program and to make funding for our successful Child Care for Child Care Educators program permanent. Click here to […]
RIght from the Start FY 2026 State Budget Priorities for Kids & Families
Check out our FY 2026 State Budget Priorities designed to invest in the health and education of our kids, make child care more affordable for working families, support our workforce of early learning professionals, and strengthen Rhode Island’s economy. Our top priorities include: Stabilizing and Expanding Access to Affordable, Quality Child Care Improving Paid Family Leave […]