The Rhode Island Early Learning Council

The Rhode Island Early Learning Council was formed in June 2010 according to the guidelines for State Early Care and Education Advisory Councils outlined in federal law. Council members are appointed by the Governor and include key leaders representing all the sectors of the early learning and development field serving children from birth through third grade.

The Council is co-chaired by the Commissioner of Education, Angélica Infante-Green; the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Kimberly Brito; and by Paige Clausius-Parks, the Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, an independent children’s policy and research organization. Leanne Barrett, Senior Policy Analyst at Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is the coordinator of the Rhode Island Early Learning Council.

The Rhode Island Early Learning Council’s overarching goal is to improve early learning and development outcomes for children from birth through age 8 by ensuring that more children, particularly from low-income and vulnerable families, participate in high-quality early learning programs.  As an advisory body to the Governor and Children’s Cabinet, the Council reviews data and research, develops policy recommendations, and advises the state on funding opportunities.  

In 2016 the Council developed an updated Comprehensive Advisory Plan and Recommendations to achieve established goals and targets in four focus areas:

• Expand Access to High Quality Programs
• Improve Program Quality 
• Develop and Sustain an Effective Early Care and Education Workforce
• Measure and Evaluate Progress Toward Improved Early Learning and Development Outcomes

Stay up to date with all Rhode Island Early Learning Council meetings, subcommittee meetings, and public forums & meetings by visiting The Early Learning Council website.