Lifting Up Children And Families
Friend,
In 2022, we celebrated significant achievements to support children and families throughout Rhode Island, including progress toward universal prekindergarten access for all 3- and 4-year-olds in our state.
This year, our commitment to making progress in this critical policy area continues.
On Tuesday, as advocates filled the State House to mark the in-person return of RIght from the Start campaign’s Strolling Thunder event and celebrate Child Care Awareness Day, the Senate approved a package of three bills to strengthen Rhode Island’s child care and education system.
Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Sandra Cano sponsored the Rhode Island Early Educator Investment Act, which seeks to create a plan for increasing early childhood educator salaries in our state. Senate Environment & Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Alana DiMario sponsored legislation to create Early Learning Hubs across Rhode Island, which would provide centralized support for current and prospective early childhood service providers. And Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna Gallo sponsored a bill to create a new state Office of Early Childhood Development and Learning to coordinate Rhode Island’s efforts on this front.
These three proposals, which were also part of an early childhood package the Senate approved in 2022, are essential as we address the staff, access, and affordability challenges facing our early childhood system.
For early educators and child care professionals, wages have been far too low for far too long, and too many good people are being forced to leave the industry. We must stabilize this critical workforce and show these providers, who play such an important part in our children’s development, the respect they deserve.
For young families, the high cost of quality child care is too often beyond their means. In many cases, one parent leaving the workforce to care for their child makes more financial sense than paying for child care. And not every Rhode Islander has the option of turning to family or friends for support.
For children, quality child care is a critical part of their early development, educationally and otherwise. Lack of access can result in more negative outcomes down the line, both in school and in life.
Strengthening Rhode Island’s child care and early education system isn’t just the right thing to do for children and families. It’s a boost for our economy and an investment in a more equitable, prosperous future.
We want to recognize and thank all the advocates who made their voices heard at the State House this week, as well as our Senate champions on these issues. Together, we can provide all our children, families, and early educators with the tools they need for success.
Sincerely,
Donny and Ryan