 |
|
8/12/2025
|
Media Advisory: Commission to study educational outcomes for children in state care meets tomorrow
|
STATE HOUSE — The Special Legislative Commission to Study Educational Outcomes for Children in State Care will be holding its first meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. in Room 135 on the first floor of the State House.
The commission is a result of legislation (2025-H 6156A) introduced by Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter). The commission will study, evaluate, and make actionable recommendations on the current state of educational outcomes for children in state care, with a special emphasis on educational outcomes for all children in the temporary, permanent or joint custody of the Department of Children, Youth and Families, and with further special emphasis on all children in alternative family settings or “foster care.”
At the meeting the commission will elect a chair and vice chair, introduce its members and discuss its goals and future presentations.
Aside from Representative Casimiro, who is expected to be elected chair of the commission, the following individuals have been appointed to the commission:
-
Rep. Marie A. Hopkins (R-Dist. 21, Warwick)
-
Lisa Nelson, legislative director, Dept. of Children, Youth, and Families
-
David Sienko, director, RIDE Office of Student, Community & Academic Supports
-
Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, trauma-informed certified teacher
-
Dr. Mary Archibald, professor, RIC School of Social Work
-
Jeannine Nota-Masse, superintendent, Cranston Public Schools
-
Jared Vance, principal, Rogers High School
-
Katelyn Medeiros, Esq., child advocate, Office of the Child Advocate
-
David Alba, special education teacher, Providence Public Schools
-
Christian J. "CJ" Miller, DCYF chief implementation aide & former foster youth
-
Darlene Allen, executive director, Adoption Rhode Island
-
Sharon O'Keefe, Esq., chief legal counsel, RI Family Court
-
Matthew Gunnip, president, SEIU Local 580
-
Amy Grattan, executive director, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities
-
Tanja Kubas-Meyer, executive director, RI Coalition for Children and Families
-
Molly Kapstein Cote, chief policy officer, Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
The meeting may be televised by Capitol Television on Cox Communications, channels 15 and 61 for high definition; i3 Broadband (formerly Full Channel) on 15; and Verizon, on channel 34. It will be livestreamed at https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
|
|