Rhode Island

In 2021, multiple Rhode Island organizations came together to announce a new Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) for Family Child Care (FCC) providers. This program represents a partnership between four parties: the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), which sets the quality standards of care; Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199 NE, which represents the bargaining unit of the FCC Providers; the SEIU Education and Support Fund, which is sponsoring the registered apprenticeship and will play an integral role as an education provider; and Family Child Care Providers, an essential representative in the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee that oversees the registered apprenticeship program, ensuring the program meets the needs of providers seeking to advance their education, professional development and earnings opportunities. FCC providers are sole proprietors that through SEIU collectively bargain with DHS on reimbursement rates. The program aims to address the significant barriers FCC providers face to earn a Childhood Development Associate certification (CDA), which helps increase providers’ earnings and QRIS ratings. RAP is an 18-month program that provides on-the-job training for new apprentices while earning a CDA and receiving incremental wage increases. The program is funded by the US Department of Labor/Employment and Training Association American Apprenticeship Initiative.

Sources:

Building Futures Rhode Island. (2021). New, Innovative Early Childhood Educator Registered Apprenticeship for Family Child Care Providers.

Through a March 2021 ballot measure, Rhode Island voters approved the Early Childhood Care and Education Capital Fund, which dedicated over $13 million in one-time grant funding for physical improvements to existing child care spaces and for the development of new licensed early childhood care and education facilities. Grant funds can be used for costs associated with the design, construction, repair, renovation, rehabilitation, or other capital improvement or deferred maintenance of an eligible facility. The approved applicants include five expansion projects totaling more than $7.8 million and creating nearly 500 slots, plus 10 capital improvement projects totaling $700,000 and improving more than 700 childcare seats. Awards will be made until the fund is fully allocated.

Sources:
State of Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. (2022). Governor McKee Announces $8.5 Million in First Round Awardees from Early Childhood Care and Education Capital Fund.
LISC. (n.d.). Early childhood care and education capital fund.

Established in 2016, the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services’ Data Ecosystem is a comprehensive health integrated data systemthat includes vital records, child welfare services, and early childhood services (e.g., home visiting, early intervention, child care subsidy, and Head Start). The system functions as a series of data requests and data-sharing agreements across multiple programs and multiple agencies, including the Department of Education. The system shares demographic, program, and individual level data using a unique identifier.

The system is funded through federal Medicaid funds, Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act funds, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants, Preschool Development Grants Birth Through 5, CARES Act funds, and the CDC Health Disparities grant program.

Sources:
Berkowitz, E. & Jenkins, D. (2021). AISP Case Study: How the Rhode Island EOHHS Ecosystem Leverages Federal Funding to Support State Data Capacity. Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy. University of Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island’s Center for Early Learning Professionals offers in-person, online, and hybrid professional development opportunities in the form of intensive, multi-session training series. Participants receive assignments to apply skills in their work. The Center also offers on-site coaching and mentoring to support training implementation. Diverse training is open to all early care and education professionals in Rhode Island who serve children age birth to 5 in child care centers, family child care homes, public school inclusion preschools, and state-funded pre-K programs. The Center is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) as the workforce development hub for the birth-to-5 early learning community. The Center partners with BrightStars and other DHS-funded community partners to coordinate the delivery of services to best meet the individual needs of programs and providers.

Sources:

Center for Early Learning Professionals. (n.d.). CELP PD.

Center for Early Learning Professionals. (n.d.). What we do.