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Providence, RI – Governor Dan McKee announced on Oct 24th, Rhode Island has been awarded a three-year Preschool Development Birth Through Age Five Planning Grant (PDG B-5) totaling $4.95 million per year from the federal Administration for Children and Families. The award provides federal funding to enhance and continue a wide range of child care initiatives aligned with Rhode Island’s 2030 plan to strengthen the childcare sector.
“Through this child care investment, Rhode Island’s youngest children will have continued access to educational, social, and emotional supports they need to succeed. Our state agencies are in lockstep to ensure we’re delivering results in alignment with the goals set in the Rhode Island 2030 plan,” said Governor Dan McKee.
Building on prior PDG investments, the new grant funding will be used to enhance the early childhood workforce, improve RI Pre-K and infant/toddler care, expand access to educator training, and improve systems to prepare children for kindergarten. A prior PDG B-5 grant awarded in 2023 helped lay the foundation for ongoing initiatives, such as the Step up to WAGE$ pilot. The new grant will allow for the continuation of such programs and other initiatives.
“Access to high-quality child care plays a vital role in children’s lives from birth through Pre-K. This grant will help improve the systems, mechanisms, and supports available to children and their families and will move Rhode Island towards a more equitable future,” said Richard Charest, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and Chair of the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet.
“We’re proud to be a leader in early childhood development,” said Kimberly Merolla-Brito, Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS). “As a lead agency for the new funding, I am thrilled to see the impact it will have on the continuation of important child care initiatives, helping make Rhode Island an ideal place to raise children.”
“High-quality early childhood care and learning programs can help put Rhode Island’s youngest learners on paths to life-long success,” said Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “RIDE is proud to have partnered with fellow state agencies to secure these funds and help more children and their families access the support they need to thrive. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to create stronger systems that empower our children to reach their highest potential.”
“Today’s experiences influence tomorrow’s health,” said Rhode Island Department of Health Director (RIDOH), Jerry Larkin, MD. “Early childhood is a critical period when healthy growth and development sets a child up to thrive for years to come. These supports will help ensure that all children in Rhode Island are given equal access to the resources and supports that will let them succeed.”
DHS is the lead agency for this grant award. Other grant recipients include EOHHS, RIDE, and RIDOH. Starting September 30, 2024, planning grant activities include:
- Continuing the Step Up to WAGE$ initiative, a program that provides salary supplements to early education child care providers.
- Enhancements to the RI Pre-K lottery system, improving access for all Rhode Island families.
- Continued enhancements to the RISES (Rhode Island Start Early System), an early childhood data hub for providers, employees, and families.
- Improvements to Rhode Island’s Child Care Resource and Referral system and integration of the system into RISES in order to better support access and information about child care programs to families
- Supports and services for children with disabilities.