2024 -- S 3158

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LC006239

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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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

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

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     WHEREAS, In 2023, the General Assembly required, and the Administration led a

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process to review the Early Childhood Governance (ECG) structure; and

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     WHEREAS, In the final report, titled “RI Early Childhood Governance Systems

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Analysis" released in December 2023, the ECG Working Group chose not to create a new

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cabinet-level RI Office of Early Childhood Development and Learning; and

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     WHEREAS, The ECG Working Group decided to remain with the current "coordination"

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governance model and outlined recommendations for ongoing improvements; and

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     WHEREAS, The ECG Working Group recommendations included:

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• Implementing improved data infrastructure;

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• Intra-agency coordination on guidance for problem-solving in the system;

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• Engaging directly with providers and families to develop a set of metrics for

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success;

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• Establishing an annual unified budget submission and annual report on system

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spending and performance outcomes; and

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• Reviewing and updating the State’s quality standards and corollary requirements

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for professional qualifications;

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• Ensuring that supports for early care and education professionals are being

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delivered effectively;

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• Implementation of a "no wrong door approach" to enrolling in programs; and

 

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• Planning and implementing a strategy for cross-agency family engagement and

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communications; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby requests that the

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Children’s Cabinet be required to host an open meeting by September of 2024 to review these

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measures of progress; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Early Childhood Governance Working

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Group, the Children’s Cabinet, Children's Friend Board of Directors, and Early Childhood

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Education/RI Department of Education.

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LC006239

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