| Special Issue:
Early Childhood Policy Updates |
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| Early Learning Council Annouces Public Hearing |
The Rhode Island Early Learning Council, recently appointed by Governor Carcieri, will hold a Public Hearing for input on Rhode Island's application for federal funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)(P.L.111-5) to improve coordination and collaboration among early childhood education and care programs and services. The funding amount is $500,000 over three years, and its purpose is to support the work of the Council and efforts to improve Rhode Island's early childhood system. The Hearing will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Community College of Rhode Island - Knight Campus, Rooms 1128 and 1130, 400 East Avenue, Warwick, RI.
For more information, contact Melissa Cabral at the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at 401 222-8491. |
| Launch of Early Learning Council Work Group |
An Early Learning Work Group has been established to help the Rhode Island Early Learning Council assess needs and gaps in the field, identify opportunities, and contribute to the work that the Council is required to undertake to improve access to and the quality of early care and education programs across the state. The first meeting of the Early Learning Work Group will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Community College of Rhode Island - Knight Campus, Room 4090, 400 East Avenue, Warwick, RI. All meetings are open to the public.
For more information, contact Leanne Barrett at Rhode Island Island KIDS COUNT at 401-351-9400 ext. 23 or at [email protected]. |
| Background on Rhode Island Early Learning Council |
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Governor Carcieri recently established a 24-member Early Learning Council to work to ensure that Rhode Island children entry have access to high quality early learning experiences in a variety of settings. Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist and Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, were appointed co-chairs of the Council.
The appointment of a state Early Learning Council is a provision of the federal 2007 Head Start Reauthorization Act. The Early Learning Council will facilitate the development or enhancement of high-quality systems of early childhood education and care, from birth to age 8, with the goal of improving school readiness and success in school. The Council will develop a state plan that will seek to align resources to support high quality early care and education services and to improve coordination and collaboration among multiple agencies, organizations, and programs. The Council's co-chairs have appointed a Work Group to assist the Council with its work (see above for more information). |
