Special Issue: Early Childhood Update
Calling for More Investment in Early Education
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Recently the Providence Journal ran a story on Rhode Island KIDS COUNT's recommendation, included in our new Issue Brief (see below) that there should be greater investment in high quality early care and education programs for children and families. Rhode Island KIDS COUNT recommends that eligibility for child care assistance be restored to 225% of the federal poverty level (FPL), the eligibility level that was in place through state fiscal year 2007 but is currently set at 180% FPL. The article also explains Rhode Island KIDS COUNT's stance that raising the eligibility level for child care subsidies, as well as expansion of state-funded Head Start seats, Pre-Kindergarten and full day kindergarten will create greater access to quality early learning opportunities for Rhode Island's youngest children. Click here to view the article, Kids Count calls for more investment in early childhood education.
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New Issue Brief on Access to Early Learning Programs in Rhode Island
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The latest Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Issue Brief, Access to Early Learning Programs in Rhode Island, includes detailed information about the four sectors of early learning programs: Pre-Kindergarten programs, child care, (including center-based and family-based child care); Head Start and Early Head Start and early childhood special education, including Early Intervention. Early learning experiences shape the brain architecture that enables children to develop language, literacy, cognition, behavior and social-emotional skills. Recommendations focus on strategies to improve access to effective early learning programs from birth through kindergarten. Download the issue brief here.
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