Roshona’s Story: Make the Child Care for Child Care Educators Program Permanent to Help Early Educators Statewide
My name is Roshona Perry, and I am a teacher at Joyful Noise Inc. in West Warwick. I work as an early childhood educator because I want to be a massive part of our future. I love what I do and that I have such a critical part in the future of our children and […]
Alba’s Story: Unusual & Burdensome State Child Support Enforcement Requirement Makes It Difficult to Access Child Care Subsidy
My name is Alba, a determined single mother of a one-year-old. I am a hardworking mom, currently studying nursing at the Community College of Rhode Island, and I work full-time as an assistant manager at a restaurant. My primary goal is to be a voice for other moms in my position—those who remain silent despite […]
Sign Our Petitions To Make Child Care More Accessible & Affordable!
Businesses lose money when they can’t find staff and when their employees don’t show up to work. Parents’ inability to access and afford reliable, quality child care contributes to the statewide labor shortage, particularly in female-dominated jobs in health care, education, human services, and hospitality. We are urging Governor McKee to strongly consider including two […]
RIght Start Candidate Guide: Policies To Ensure All RI Kids & Families Can Thrive
RIght from the Start is sharing the following information to help educate candidates for elected office about policy and budget priorities that will help families with young children in Rhode Island. We are providing the same information to all candidates for the General Assembly. We are not able to endorse any candidates, but hope you […]
RIght Start Urges Key Policy Changes & Investments in the FY 2026 State Budget Now Being Crafted by the McKee Administration
While the General Assembly is not in session until January, Governor Dan McKee and state agencies are busy crafting the FY 2026 state budget. That’s why RIght from the Start is urging Governor McKee and his administration to include key policies and investments in his next state budget that address the most persistent challenges facing […]
Parents Help Shape RIght Start Priorities for Next Legislative Session
We recently held our annual RIght Start policy and planning retreat. A big thank you to our amazing group of parent advocates who came to share their first-hand perspective on our proposed legislative agenda for the 2025 General Assembly session!
2024 General Assembly Session Wins for Rhode Island Babies & Young Children
Working with Governor McKee, our champions in the General Assembly, and dedicated advocates like you we helped to secure the following wins for Rhode Island babies, young children, and families: Early Intervention programs will receive 100% of the recommended Medicaid rate increase to serve infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities which will […]
Right from the Start Campaign Statement on the FY 2025 State Budget Approved by the House Finance Committee
The RIght from the Start campaign is pleased to see several additional investments in the FY 2025 state budget approved by the House Finance Committee (HFC) that go above and beyond the Governor’s original budget proposal. These important investments will help to support Rhode Island’s young children, families, and our workforce of early educators. While […]
Rhode Island Strolling Thunder 2024 A Big Success!
On May 9th, babies, young children, families, and advocates “strolled” from the Providence Marriott to the State House for Strolling Thunder 2024 to advocate for legislation and budget investments to ensure all Rhode Island kids and families have what they need to thrive. We had a great turnout and were joined by elected leaders including […]
RIght Start Fact Sheet: Sustain RI’s Psychiatry Resource Network (PRN) For Moms, Babies, and Children
H-7204 (Shallcross Smith) & S-2072 (DiMario) “It’s the most reliable program that I have worked with in my twenty years of working in primary care.” – Rhode Island Primary Care Provider The need for pregnant, postpartum, and pediatric access to mental health support is urgent and growing, with both a maternal and children’s mental health […]