Gov. Raimondo Announces $27M Grant For Early Childhood Education

PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Gina Raimondo unveiled a three-year, $27 million grant on Tuesday aimed at overhauling the state's approach to early childhood education. The funding is part of the Administration for Children and Families' Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five program.

"Rhode Island is already a leader in early childhood education and development, and this grant will allow us to further support our youngest learners," Raimondo said. "I'm proud of our state's commitment to giving the next generation a strong start, but we need do more. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to expand public Pre-K and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow."

$3 million is earmarked to supplement $4.5 million in proposed funding, part of the governor's budget, to add 50 percent more seats to public preschool programs during the 2020-21 school year.

The funding is a renewal of a one-year grant for $4.19 million the state was awarded last year, used to pay for the planning of improvements to the early childhood education system. Just 20 states, including Rhode Island, were selected for the grants.

The award is a renewal of a one-year, $4.19 million grant the state received in 2019 to support planning activities toward improving the state's early childhood system. Rhode Island was among only 20 states to receive the additional funding needed to implement programs and build infrastructure aligned with the initial grant work.

"A strong start for Rhode Island children is key for lifelong success, and high-quality early childhood education and wraparound supports are essential components of that foundation," Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said. "Rhode Island is a national leader in early learning, and this funding will help ensure we maintain that high bar at the same time that we work to invest in and expand access to state Pre-K for all children."

The funding will also support the state's Health Equity Zones, or established areas that are dedicated to building healthier communities through a variety of approaches. It also will support a "family navigator" resource program for young families, fund professional development for educators, support a public awareness campaign about the importance of early childhood education and more.

"The grant's benefits to our communities will be far-reaching," said Womazetta Jones, the secretary of Health and Human Services. "Whether it's providing child development resources to young parents or promoting the importance of these efforts to the greater community, the goal is to positively impact children and families for generations."