R 380
2024 -- S 3158
Enacted 06/12/2024

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
SUPPORTING CONTINUED FOCUS AND ACTIONS FOR IMPROVED COORDINATION BETWEEN AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD AND EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS

Introduced By: Senator Hanna M. Gallo

Date Introduced: June 11, 2024

     WHEREAS, In 2023, the General Assembly required, and the Administration led a
process to review the Early Childhood Governance (ECG) structure; and
     WHEREAS, In the final report, titled “RI Early Childhood Governance Systems
Analysis" released in December 2023, the ECG Working Group chose not to create a new
cabinet-level RI Office of Early Childhood Development and Learning; and
     WHEREAS, The ECG Working Group decided to remain with the current "coordination"
governance model and outlined recommendations for ongoing improvements; and
     WHEREAS, The ECG Working Group recommendations included:
• Implementing improved data infrastructure;
• Intra-agency coordination on guidance for problem-solving in the system;
• Engaging directly with providers and families to develop a set of metrics for
success;
• Establishing an annual unified budget submission and annual report on system
spending and performance outcomes; and
• Reviewing and updating the State’s quality standards and corollary requirements
for professional qualifications;
• Ensuring that supports for early care and education professionals are being
delivered effectively;
• Implementation of a "no wrong door approach" to enrolling in programs; and
• Planning and implementing a strategy for cross-agency family engagement and
communications; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby requests that the
Children’s Cabinet be required to host an open meeting by September of 2024 to review these
measures of progress; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Early Childhood Governance Working
Group, the Children’s Cabinet, Children's Friend Board of Directors, and Early Childhood
Education/RI Department of Education.
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LC006239
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