Thriving In Early Head Start: Donovan’s Story
You might remember a very cute young boy stealing the show at RI Strolling Thunder 2023 by spontaneously grabbing a toy microphone and joining Governor McKee and other leaders to offer his “remarks.” Here’s Donovan’s story of thriving in Early Head Start. THIS is why the General Assembly needs to increase state funding to keep all RI […]
RI Strolling Thunder 2023 A Huge Success!
On Tuesday, May 2nd, families, advocates, and elected leaders gathered at the Rhode Island State House for RI Strolling Thunder 2023 and to advocate for legislation and budget investments designed to ensure that ALL families and young children have what they need to thrive. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a wonderful day […]
Continuous Medicaid/RIte Care Coverage Keeps RI Kids On A Healthy Path
No family should have to worry about whether they can afford to bring their little ones in to see a doctor for checkups, screenings, immunizations, or illness. That’s why it’s time to pass H-5986 / S-247 to provide continuous Medicaid eligibility for all RI children under age 6!
2023 Rhode Island Family Leave Legislation Fact Sheet
H-5547 (Diaz) & S-0534 (Miller) H-5781 (Kazarian) & S-0139 (Lawson) H-5990 (Giraldo) & S-0145 (Cano) Rhode Island is a leader in providing paid family leave for families with babies, newly adopted or foster children, and seriously ill family members through the Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program. One of only 11 state based paid leave programs, TCI provides up to six weeks of partial (about 60%) wage […]
Fact Sheet: Saving First Connections & Family Home Visiting
H-5810 (Giraldo) & S-207 (Valverde) First Connections is Rhode Island’s frontline home visiting service for families with newborns statewide. Currently delivered by four non-profit agencies, it is designed to identify babies’ and families’ needs as early as possible and connect them with services to address those needs, including mental health services, WIC, help with affordable housing, Early Intervention, and […]
Fact Sheet: Funding Affordable, Reliable, Quality Child Care
H-5193 (Diaz) & S-522 (Cano) Child Care is Essential Why Focus on Child Care? Families need access to affordable, high-quality child care so parents can work and children can grow, learn, and thrive. Experts agree that 9 out of 10 families cannot afford the full cost of high-quality child care staffed by skilled educators. Because middle-income families cannot afford the full cost […]
RIght Start Video: Funding Affordable, Reliable, Quality Child Care In Rhode Island
Watch our new video, “Funding Affordable, Reliable, Quality Child Care In Rhode Island.” Child care is essential to Rhode Island families and our economy. That’s why we need to restore $48 million in state funding and use the $4 million in new federal funding to pass the RI Child Care is Essential Act so that […]
Fact Sheet: Stabilizing Health Care Access for Young Children Birth though Age 5
H-5986 (Slater) & S-247 (Lauria) Stable health insurance coverage for babies and young children helps children receive high-quality and timely preventive health care, including vaccinations and screenings, routine care for illnesses, specialized health care when needed, and emergency health care services. Continuous eligibility for Medicaid/RIte Care during infancy and the early childhood years will help prevent gaps in coverage […]
RIght Start Video: Stabilizing Health Care Access for Children Birth to 5 Through Continuous Medicaid Eligibility
Watch our new video, “Continuous Medicaid Eligibility: Stabilizing Health Care Access for Children Birth to 5.” No family should have to worry about whether they can afford to bring their little ones in to see a doctor for checkups, screenings, immunizations, or illness. That’s why we’re advocating for legislation to ensure that babies and young […]
Solving the Early Educator Staffing Crisis
H-5094 (Casimiro) & S-492 (Cano) H-6169 (Diaz) & S-377 (DiMario) H-5983 (Giraldo) & S-523 (Gallo) High-quality early childhood programs have effective educators who work with children and families to support young children’s rapid brain development. Rhode Island is experiencing a significant staffing crisis for as effective professionals are leaving for better paying jobs. The workforce that supports young children’s early learning and development is made […]