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7/15/2026
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Legislators join RIght from the Start to celebrate 2026 wins for Rhode Island babies, young children and families
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 WARWICK – Today, General Assembly leaders including Senate President Valarie J. Lawson, Sen. Alana M. DiMario, Rep. Grace Diaz, Rep. Karen Alzate, Rep. Susan R. Donovan, Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, and Rep. Teresa A. Tanzi joined early childhood advocates and families at Child Inc. to celebrate 2026 legislative victories for Rhode Island’s youngest residents and their families.
The event highlighted significant investments included in the FY2027 state budget that aim to stabilize Rhode Island’s early education workforce, expand access to affordable child care, and provide direct health and economic relief to families across the state.
The 2026 General Assembly session resulted in several wins for the RIght from the Start campaign’s priorities:
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Family Economic Security: The creation of a new $330 refundable child tax credit to provide direct relief to Rhode Island families.
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Early Care and Education: An expansion of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) income eligibility to 285% of the federal poverty level, a 5% increase in infant reimbursement rates, and an extension of the Child Care for Child Care Educators program through 2030.
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Health and Development: Full funding for Early Intervention (EI) and home visiting rate increases and a new policy allowing eligible children to remain in the EI program until the September after their third birthday. The budget also provides ongoing funding for the PediPRN and MomsPRN mental health consultation hotlines and a $377,000 state match to bring in additional federal family home visiting funds.
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Sustainable Revenue for Families: Inclusion of the “Revenue for Rhode Islanders” proposal (Article 5-Section 6 of the budget), which establishes a 3% surtax on the state's highest earners. This tax reform generates significant, sustainable revenue to invest in essential services like child care, food security, and healthcare.
“Right now, state-level leadership is especially crucial, and I am extremely proud that the 2026 legislative session has resulted in many important victories for young people and working families across Rhode Island,” said President Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence). "Working together, we have achieved real progress, and the wins we are celebrating today will make a real difference in people’s lives. I am deeply grateful to the RIght from the Start campaign for being such an outstanding partner and champion for our state’s children and families.”
“It is gratifying that my colleagues in the General Assembly have seen fit to continue our commitment to the children of this state,” said Rep. Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence). “These advances don’t happen magically. It takes a lot of hard work from parents, educators, caregivers, advocates and lawmakers, especially during years like this one, where we all have to tighten our belts. I look forward to our work as we continue to make the children of this state a legislative and policy priority.”
“By expanding access to affordable child care, supporting our dedicated early educators, and providing direct relief through the new child tax credit, our state leaders are making a clear commitment to the well-being of our families and the long-term strength of Rhode Island’s economy,” said Lisa Hildebrand, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children and Co-Chair of the RIght from the Start campaign. “We want to thank all of our legislative champions for sponsoring and advocating for RIght from the Start priority bills, and for a great 2026 General Assembly session with big wins for Rhode Island babies, young children, and families.”
“This General Assembly session included several wins for children’s and maternal health,” said pediatrician Dr. Scott Rivkes of the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Fully funding Early Intervention and Family Home Visiting will ensure these programs can continue to serve young children and families, providing services that support healthy brain development and that can significantly reduce language delays and child maltreatment. Additionally, securing the future of the PediPRN and MomsPRN hotlines means that primary care providers will have the immediate mental health support they need to keep kids out of the emergency room and get pregnant and postpartum moms them the specialized psychiatric care they require.”
“As a parent, these wins are a huge relief for my family and so many others in our community,” said Stephen Griffin, a dad with two young children in Johnston. “The new child tax credit and expanded child care assistance mean that we have more breathing room to afford essentials like food and high-quality care for our children. I want to thank the General Assembly for investing in our youngest children and in families.”
The RIght from the Start campaign also thanked all of its 2026 legislative champions:
State Representatives
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Rep. Karen Alzate
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Rep. Megan L. Cotter
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Rep. Grace Diaz
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Rep. Susan Donovan
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Rep. Joshua Giraldo
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Rep. Joseph McNamara
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Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith
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Rep. Teresa Tanzi
State Senators
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Sen. Alana DiMario
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Sen. Hanna Gallo
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Sen. Pamela Lauria
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Sen. Valarie Lawson
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Sen. Melissa Murray
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Sen. Lori Urso
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Sen. Bridget Valverde
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Sen. Lammis Vargas
For more information, contact:
Daniel Kittredge, Deputy Directory of Communications
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5516
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