Rhode Island KIDS COUNT - News, Research and Policy Information
December 18, 2013
Starry Starry Night
On December 12th, more than 300 people attended Starry Starry Night, the annual celebration for programs participating in BrightStars, the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System for child care and early learning programs. The program featured remarks by Tony Maione, President of the United Way of Rhode Island, representatives from CVS and IBM, and leaders from the Department of Human Services, the Department of Children, Youth and Families and the Department of Education.

All licensed child care programs serving children in the Child Care Assistance Program that have not yet joined BrightStars have been assigned a Starting Star and are encouraged to apply for an official rating (one star or higher) before April 1, 2013. Programs participating in BrightStars have access to a wide variety of quality improvement resources through the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge.

The new 2013 BrightStars Quality standards for child care centers/preschools and family child care homes are now available along with updated application materials at www.brightstars.org. 

RFPs Released 

RI State House
BrightStars Evaluation
The Rhode Island Department of Human Services is requesting proposals from qualified firms to conduct a multi-year evaluation focusing on the extent to which: 1) Rhode Island's Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS) levels relate to increasing quality of early childhood programs; and 2) the quality of Rhode Island's Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS) programs relates to child outcomes. Proposals are due Tuesday, January 14 at 11:30 a.m.


Higher Education Institutions
The Rhode Island Department of Education is
requesting proposals (please see addendum to RFP as well) from Institutions of Higher Education in Rhode Island to design and administer one or more Center(s) for Early Childhood Teaching and Learning. Proposals are due January 17, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. 
New Professional Development/Technical Assistance Center
Early Learning Council Public Hearing
The Education Development Center (EDC) has been selected as the lead entity to develop a new Statewide Professional Development and Technical Assistance Center for early learning programs. EDC will work in partnership with Ready to Learn Providence.

The PD/TA Center will provide the early learning workforce across Rhode Island with access to professional development and technical assistance, link to higher education credentials, and address the unique needs of each sector of early childhood education across Rhode Island.
Visit us at www.rikidscount.org
In This Issue
 
starStarry Starry Night.
starRFP for Higher Education Institutions
starNew Professional Development/Technical Assistance Center
 
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Rhode Island KIDS COUNT works to improve the health, education, safety, economic security and development of Rhode Island's children.