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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 presented both organizations with the Impact via Apprenticeship Award, recognizing the important work that early childhood educators do in the classroom to support the state’s youngest learners every day, and the role organizations like DHS and RIAEYC play in designing and implementing career pathways to ensure a highly qualified Early Care and Education workforce. Through supporting high-quality education and training for professionals through registered apprenticeship, DHS is expanding equitable access to high-quality, safe, affordable child care for families.

Early Childhood Registered Apprentices Maria Barnes, from Way to Grow Childcare Center, and Desiree Dompier, from the YWCA, were also recognized for their excellence and dedication to the field. With the support of a Federal Preschool Development Grant, DHS developed The Infant Toddler Registered Apprenticeship Pilot, launched in 2021, to increase the number of Infant Toddler educators with specialized training and education for fostering the growth and development in the most pivotal years for early brain development.

Maria shared, “The apprentice program has provided me with the ability to confidently interact with all the children in my program, no matter what their background or special needs may be. This program has widened my development and understanding of all of the child developmental stages and has helped me with getting my classroom to a place where it is safe. While being in this class, I have gained so much more confidence in myself and in helping others with following the right procedures and guidelines… The instructor of this program is beyond supportive and is so helpful in all aspects of the learning process. A mentor is also provided and is available for any questions and to be able to help you in any way that they can…”

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Pictured left to right: Catherine Green, Head Start Collaboration Office Director for the RI Department of Human Services, Lisa Hildebrand, Executive Director of Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC), Caroline Paliotte, Education Counselor at RIAEYC, Registered Apprentice Maria Barnes, Marinel Russo, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Workforce Initiatives at RIAEYC, Amber Mangione, Registered Apprenticeship Coordinator at RIAEYC, Amy Henderson, Programming Services Officer for the RI Department of Human Services, Sharon Fitzgerald Administrator, Child Care Assistance Program for the RI Department of Human Services.

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Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) is the state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Rhode Island AEYC and NAEYC are dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with a particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for young children. RIAEYC manages several initiatives that support the early care and education workforce for the state including BrightStars, TEACH Early Childhood Rhode Island, Step up to WAGE$ and the Rhode Island Early Childhood Registered Apprenticeship.

The RI Department of Human Services’ Office of Child Care supports the workforce through the development and funding of high-quality, accessible, and affordable career pathways to support Early Childhood Educators. Through supporting high quality education and training for professionals this positions DHS to provide families with equitable access to high-quality, safe, affordable child care.