Weekly Video Address: February 2, 2018
Let’s Invest in Our Kids
Every child deserves to hear this message loud and clear: we care about you. You???re important. You matter, and we???re going to support you.??
Twenty five other states already extend state care to the age of 21, and Governor Raimondo wants Rhode Island to join them. But we can???t only focus on older children???we need to support our kids in state care at every age. This week, the Governor took time to talk about increasing our funding for quality child care.??
She also encouraged Rhode Islanders to consider becoming foster parents.We have an immediate need for 250 families across the state, and especially in Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Newport, Central Falls and West Warwick. If you’re interested in opening your home and your heart to a child in need, visit www.dcyf.ri.gov/anchor to learn more.
Watch the Governor’s full address on Facebook
Hi there. A little while ago, I met a young man named Matt who had aged out of the state foster care system at 18.
Now he???s 21, and it???s been tough for him. He???s living in his car, working on his GED and applying for jobs. But even with all that going on in his life, when we met, he was volunteering. Even though he was struggling, he took the time to give back to Foster Forward, an organization that works with kids in foster care.
That story inspires me. It???s amazing to see someone with that much generosity and strength. But it also shows what needs to change in our foster care system.Without the right supports, kids under 18 just aren???t ready to go out into the world by themselves. We need to set them on the right path. Twenty five other states already extend state care to the age of 21???I want Rhode Island to join them.
Every child deserves to hear this message loud and clear: we care about you. You???re important. You matter, and we???re going to support you.??
But we can???t only focus on older children???we need to support our kids in state care at every age. This week, I also took time to talk about increasing our funding for quality child care.??We know for a fact that early education works. Kids in high quality childcare are more likely to read on grade level, which means they???re more likely to succeed later in life. Let???s invest in our kids.
And finally, I???m encouraging every parent in Rhode Island to consider becoming a foster family. We have an immediate need for 250 families across the state, and especially in Newport, Woonsocket and Central Falls.??
Every kid deserves a loving, supportive home with a bright future. Let???s help them get there. Thanks, and have a great week.