Rhode Island KIDS COUNT supports the "One Rhode Island" platform
"One Rhode Island" is a coalition of over 150 advocacy, religious, social service and policy organizations that promotes a Platform of income and work-supports for low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders.  Now in its third year, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT continues to serve on the 10-member steering committee, facilitated by the Poverty Institute, that develops the Platform and works with coalition members for its enactment.  The 2005 Platform supports housing, improvements in the Family Independence Program, an increase in the state refundable earned income tax credit, maintenence of RIte Care eligibility thesholds and reduction of RIte Care premiums, increased access to food stamps and maintenance of the state's committment to subsidized child care. 

One Rhode Island during the 2005 Legislative Session
The One Rhode Island platform saw several victories throughout the 2005 legislative session including:

$100,000 for Food Stamp outreach
$1.2 million in increased funding for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program
$2.5 million in additional funding for the Neighborhood Opportunities program to create more affordable housing
$22,000 to eliminate the monthly premiums imposed on pregnant women and babies enrolled in RIte Care

One Rhode Island was also sucessful in restoring $3.3 million in cuts proposed by the Governor's budget. In total, One Rhode Island victories garnered an additional $7.1 million in funds for low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders.

Read a letter on One Rhode Island victories from the Poverty Institute's Executive Director Kate Brewster

Read the "One Rhode Island" platform for 2005.

One Rhode Island Bills 'n' Blurbs for the 2005 Legislative Session

Want to sponsor the platform?

Visit the One RI website at www.oneri.org