Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 1d

Our Executive Director Paige Parks and Dr. Richard Welsh hold a post-lecture discussion and Q+A on school discipline, education, and policy solutions for student success.

@annenberginstitute.bsky.social @paigeparks.bsky.social @schooldisclab.bsky.social

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 1d

In Rhode Island, child care infrastructure is in *urgent* need of investment
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/09/m...

RI lags behind other New England states in #childcare funding, write members of @rightstartri.bsky.social (including our director of early childhood policy and strategy Leanne Barrett!)

In Rhode Island, child care infrastructure is in urgent need of investment - The Boston Globe

Rhode Island lags behind other New England states in child care funding, write members of the RIght from the Start coalition.

www.bostonglobe.com

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 2d

Join us tomorrow at 5pm! The lecturer is Dr. Richard Welsh and the focus of the event will be on school discipline and disrupting inequities.

Thurs, Oct. 9 5-6:30pm
280 Brook Street, True North, Room 101

#edchatRI @annenberginstitute.bsky.social

1

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 3d

We have some news to share!

A fond farewell + a warm welcome: myemail.constantcontact.com/A-fond-farew... #grateful

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 3d

What's driving chronic absenteeism in RI schools, and what's the solution? What we found. www.providencejournal.com/story/news/l... @providencejournal.bsky.social #edchatRI

What's driving chronic absenteeism in RI schools, and what's the solution? What we found.

Reasons for missing school range from illness to bullying, academic struggles, boredom and instability at home.

www.providencejournal.com

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 7d

2,300 children across RI benefit from the early childhood services that Early Head Start + Head Start offer children in low-income families from birth thru K. These services are vital and could be threatened if the shutdown continues more than a few weeks. nhsa.org/press_releas...

NHSA Statement on Federal Government Shutdown

Despite the shutdown, Head Start programs will remain open across the country

nhsa.org

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 7d

What is a government shutdown and how might it affect RI’s children and families? See in our latest e-news:

myemail.constantcontact.com/Shutdown-and...

1 1

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 8d

We're hosting our annual Celebration of Children's Health + Well-Being on Monday, Nov. 24 at 12pm.

Please save the date and plan to join us as we continue our critical work for children + families together!

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 11d

Join us for this free event next Thursday! The lecturer is Dr. Richard Welsh and the focus of the event will be on school discipline and disrupting inequities.

Thurs, October 9
5:00 - 6:30pm
111 Thayer Street, True North, Room 101

More about Dr. Welsh here! peabody.vanderbilt.edu/bio/?pid=ric...

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 14d

We are the proud coordinator of @rightstartri.bsky.social — check out their latest newsletter with early childhood budget priorities! conta.cc/4n6zTpE

Early Childhood Priorities For The Next State Budget

Email from RIght from the Start Because ALL RI kids deserve to get off to the RIght Start in life Early Childhood Priorities For The FY 2027 State Budget Now Being Crafted By Governor McKee As Gover

conta.cc

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 15d

Thank you to all our colleagues, friends, and supporters who came out to Track 15 last night to support us and Rhode Island's children and families!

We had a great time! If you missed it, you can still donate here 💫 rikidscount.org/donate

1

Reposted by Rhode Island KIDS COUNT

Annie E. Casey Foundation @annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social · 16d

Babies and children in the U.S. are nearly twice as likely to die before reaching adulthood compared to children in other wealthy countries.

American Kids Are Less Likely to Reach Adulthood Than Foreign Peers

Firearms and premature births are among the leading causes of death.

www.the74million.org

1 1

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 17d

Can’t wait to see you *tonight* at Track 15 in Downtown #PVD! Validated parking and raffle prizes are included 💫

The first 50 people at the door will receive a free drink ticket 🥂

Reposted by Rhode Island KIDS COUNT

Annie E. Casey Foundation @annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social · 18d

As AI chatbots like ChatGPT become increasingly common, it’s essential that parents have conversations with their kids about how to be responsible, ethical and safe if they’re choosing to use generative AI.

Why parents need to talk to their teens about AI — and how to start the conversation

Many teens are using artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT for everything from homework to relationship advice. Experts say parents must lead the way in helping them understand the technology.

www.npr.org

1 1

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 22d

Here’s a message from our ED Paige sharing that no matter what happens—no matter what’s threatened— we want to stay in touch.

We want to make sure you know what’s going on w kids + families and that you know about advocacy opportunities.

Join our email: lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/pI8AOwK

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 22d

More Rhode Island children lived in poverty in 2024, new data shows rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/09/18/m... @ricurrent.bsky.social

More Rhode Island children lived in poverty in 2024, new data shows • Rhode Island Current

Rhode Island had a higher percentage of children living in poverty in 2024 than any other New England state, according to an analysis of new census data. The data, along with changing federal funding ...

rhodeislandcurrent.com

1

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 24d

Join us in ONE WEEK for our night at Track 15 in Downtown #PVD! Validated parking and raffle prizes are included!

The first 50 people at the door will receive a free drink ticket 🥂

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · Sep 5

Join us on September 23 for our night at Track 15 in Downtown #PVD!!

Register here: form.jotform.com/252315017233142

The first 50 people at the door will receive a free drink ticket 🥂

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 28d

The youth know the way. #endgunviolence

1

Reposted by Rhode Island KIDS COUNT

Annie E. Casey Foundation @annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social · 29d

“We can help kids learn to cope with the distress that they feel when they recognize inherent dangers that are part of the world.”

Talking to kids about school shootings. Be truthful and follow their lead

Parents are struggling to figure out what to say to their children after another school shooting. We talked to some experts, who offered these guidelines.

www.npr.org

1

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · 29d

New Census Estimates Show RI Ranked 33rd in Child Poverty.
We're calling on state leaders to plan ahead and act for children! rikidscount.org/wp-content/u...

1

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · Sep 10

“Gun violence doesn’t care about ideology. No one is truly safe…in a country awash in easily accessible guns. And no one will be safe until our lawmakers put public safety over politics and take action to end this preventable crisis.” — @momsdemand.bsky.social

1

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · Sep 9

TODAY at 12pm!

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · Sep 4

Pls share this awesome event on TUESDAY to hear about immigrant access to federal public benefits, with a focus on:
- DHS updates and guidance for immigrants
- Upcoming changes in eligibility
- Security and confidentiality of private information

REGISTER: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · Sep 5

In it together bestie 🥰

1

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · Sep 5

Join us on September 23 for our night at Track 15 in Downtown #PVD!!

Register here: form.jotform.com/252315017233142

The first 50 people at the door will receive a free drink ticket 🥂

1

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT @rikidscount.bsky.social · Sep 4

@epi-ri.bsky.social and the Immigrant Coalition of RI will co-host a virtual town hall on Tuesday 9/9 at 12pm with RI DHS to inform immigration advocates, community organizations, social workers, and others about changes made to SNAP and Medicaid. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Registration - Virtual Town Hall w/ DHS, Economic Progress Institute, and the Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island

Join the conversation to hear directly from DHS on immigrant access to federal public benefits, with a focus on: DHS updates and guidance for immigrants Upcoming changes in eligibility due to OBBB Sec...

docs.google.com

1 1