Connecticut & Rhode Islands Ys strive to help young people develop into tomorrow’s leaders.
We help everyone improve their well-being, and we create strong, vibrant communities for all. Our legislative priorities support investments in programs that are open to people of all generations, backgrounds and perspectives, and expand access to the resources, opportunities and relationships that everyone needs to thrive.
The Rhode Island Alliance of YMCAs advocates for public policy initiatives that promote Youth Development, Health Living, and Social Responsibility.
Please view the issues briefs or public testimony, under each category, to learn more about our legislative priorities.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
- Advocate for appropriate funding levels and policies for state supported Y programs, specifically the Rhode Island CCAP program.
- Expanding family eligibility to at least 250% of the federal poverty level at the entrance ($57,575 for a family of three) – an eligibility level that was enacted in the 1998 RI Starting Right law – and up to at least 350% of the federal poverty line at the exit.
- Increase provider rates for all ages of children in all settings so they meet or exceed the federal equal access standard.
- Remove the outdated requirement for families to establish paternity/parentage and file for child support to be eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program.
- Pay providers based on child enrollment (not attendance), a practice common in the private market that will help improve the financial stability of childcare programs.
- Early educator investment to establish compensation benchmarks for early educators statewide and develop a plan to increase rates and funding to programs so they can pay more competitive wages to staff and recruit/retain highly-skilled educators that reflect the diversity of the child population.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
- Support the creation of a licensing process for Rhode Island camps to enhance child safety and allow children to attend summer camp accessing the CCAP program.
HEALTHY LIVING
- Support the School Meals for All initiative.