R 202

2020 -- H 8035 Enacted 06/17/2020

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING AND CELEBRATING MAY 20TH OF 2020, AS "CHILD CARE AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Shekarchi, Filippi, McNamara, and Ruggiero

Date Introduced: June 17, 2020

WHEREAS, On May 20th, 2020, a panoply of citizens representing myriad organizations

and institutions from across our State gathered electronically through a virtual event to celebrate

the 9th annual Child Care Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, This event was held to discuss the challenges and advocate for resources to

meet the needs of Rhode Island’s children and their families and to highlight the work of various

organizations and programs in our State that work every day to improve the lives of children,

youth, and families by providing high-quality care and education; and

WHEREAS, The world’s current health care crisis has brought to the forefront our State

workforce’s urgent and critical need and reliance upon safe and continuous child care; and

WHEREAS, Research on the human brain reveals that an overwhelming amount of a

person's lifetime brain development occurs during early childhood, before the age of three; and

WHEREAS, To be prepared for success, our children must receive high-quality child

care from caregivers who have the appropriate skills, education, and training; and

WHEREAS, A child care teacher's day is spent interacting with children and caring for

their needs, because it is through play, interaction, and socializing that children learn the

fundamentals about others, as well as the world around them; and

WHEREAS, High quality child care is sensitive, responsive, personal, and

developmentally appropriate. It provides the proper nurturing that children need at one of the

most critical and vulnerable times in their lives; and

WHEREAS, It is of immense importance to our State’s economy and to Rhode Island's

families that their children receive the highest quality care and are challenged at an early age, so

that they may develop the necessary abilities to thrive in adulthood and someday lead our State

into an even brighter future; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims and celebrates May 20th of 2020, as "Child Care

Awareness Day." We furthermore urge the citizens of Rhode Island to recognize the tremendous

skills, dedication, diligence, and value of the laudable child care providers who protect and equip

our children for future success; 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 President of the Child Care Directors

Association, the Director of Prevent Child Abuse RI, and the Chair of the Permanent Legislative

Commission on Child Care.

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LC005418

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