Rhode Island KIDS COUNT - News, Research and Policy Information
September 16, 2013

Head Start 2013 Sequester Cuts

Early Learning Council Public Hearing

School didn't start for 57,000 of the nation's poorest children, including 370 Rhode Island children who no longer have access to Head Start due to the federal sequester. This is a major set-back for the school readiness of some of Rhode Island's poorest children who have the most to gain. For more background information so you can take action, please see the following recent articles:

  

Understanding Fathers and Mothers of Young Children in High-Poverty Neighborhoods: Statewide Forum on September 30
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and the Rhode Island Department of Health are hosting a Statewide Forum on Monday, September 30, from 8:30 to 11:00 am (registration begins at 8am) at the Providence Marriott (Orms Street) to hear keynote speaker Timothy Nelson from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University discuss his bold, on-the-ground research with low-income fathers in Philadelphia and Camden, NJ. Dr. Nelson's research with co-author Kathryn Edin is helping to shape policy conversations about fatherhood, motherhood and marriage among the urban poor. The morning will also include an update and discussion about Rhode Island's Home Visiting System for vulnerable families. Breakfast will be served.

Space is limited so please register online here by September 23, 2013. Please contact Jennifer Capaldo with questions.
FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS Releases New Report 
On Tuesday, September 3rd, FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS released "I'm the Guy You Pay Later," a research report that shows how a new federal investment in high quality Early Learning programs (as outlined in the President's early learning proposals) could lead to 200,000 fewer prisoners each year and a tremendous savings to taxpayers due to lower costs for crime and incarceration. FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS is made up of 5,000 police chiefs, sheriffs, and prosecutors. 
Infant Mental Health Gathering: September 24
Infant Mental Health Event 2013 Prevent Child Abuse Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Association for Infant Mental Health (RIAiMH) are hosting a gathering on Tuesday, September 24 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Cuban Revolution (60 Valley Street, Providence) to celebrate our collective work with infants and very young children. There is a $25 suggested donation at the door. RSVP to [email protected].
Childcare Assistance Cliff Effect Policy Pilot Program Launching Soon
mom & kids
Starting October 1, families currently enrolled in the Child Care Assistance Program will be able stay on the program as their income increases up to 225% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For a single parent with two children, the maximum income to qualify will rise by $8,792, to $43,942 a year. This pilot program will help more families pay for child care for a longer period of time.

For more information, please see "Program will help poor families keep aid for childcare," published in the September 11 edition of
The Providence Journal.
Visit us at www.rikidscount.org
In This Issue
 
starHead Start 2013 Sequester Cuts
starUnderstanding Fathers and Mothers of Young Children in High-Poverty Neighborhoods: Statewide Forum
starFIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS launches National Early Childhood Campaign
starInfant Mental Health Gathering: September 2
starChildcare Assistance Cliff Effect Policy Pilot Program Launching Soon
 
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Rhode Island KIDS COUNT works to improve the health, education, safety, economic security and development of Rhode Island's children.