 |
|
10/4/2022
|
Child Care Commission to hold retreat Thursday to discuss legislative plans and priorities
|
STATE HOUSE — Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) and Sen. Alana DiMario (D-Dist. 36, North Kingstown, Narragansett), co-chairwomen of the Permanent Legislative Commission on Child Care, will host a retreat Thursday to discuss the legislative priorities of the commission.
The retreat, which is hosted by the commission every two years, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, at Child and Family Services, 1268 Eddy St., in Providence.
The Child Care Commission acts as an advisory board to the General Assembly to plan and advocate for the state’s current and future child care and early educational needs. The retreats were created to allow the commission to establish priorities, plan its work, and review its processes and structure.
After Representative Diaz and Senator DiMario offer opening remarks and state the goals of the retreat, child care advocate Osmary Barker will make introductions. U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Congressman David Cicilline, will give an update on federal child care policies and priorities.
Following this, advocate Rachel Flum will moderate a panel on child care and learning, including Gov. Daniel McKee, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, House Majority Leader Christopher R. Blazejewski, House Finance Committee Chairman Marvin L. Abney, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ryan W. Pearson.
The retreat will then feature two breakout sessions — the first focusing on improvement and expansion of the Child Care Assistance Program; pre-K and Head Start expansion; and paid family leave. The second session will focus on the early care and education staffing crisis; out-of-school-time programs for ages 5 and up; and services and access for children with developmental delays, disabilities and mental health challenges. The sessions will be followed by a report of the top three priorities from each breakout group.
To conclude, Osmary Barker will host a wrap-up discussion focusing on the commission’s next steps.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
|
|