Rhode Island KIDS COUNT

06/12/2026

Celebrating the inclusion of Rhode Island’s first permanent refundable Child Tax Credit in the budget!!

The Economic Progress Institute Governor Dan McKee house Rhode Island Senate

06/10/2026

Let's make kids' issues nonpartisan again!

Our Executive Director Paige Parks was happy to partner with Majority Leader Mike Chippendale on this really important issue for RI children!
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/05/metro/rhode-island-works-child-support-bill-increases-family-support-commentary/

Raising Rhode Island: Lifting Children and Families Out of Deep Poverty RI House of Representatives - House Minority Office - GOP Rhode Island Senate Governor Dan McKee

06/10/2026

The new national is out and there are meaningful changes in methodology. Why?? So we can see actual progress or declines, not just rankings.

TLDR: RI’s progress has STALLED for kids and families. We are DEAD LAST in New England, and our progress has DECLINED since 2019.

This is a call to action, and we’re responding LOUDLY saying — we can and MUST do better!

Annie E. Casey Foundation

06/09/2026

“We know what kids need to grow up healthy and connected so they can thrive as adults: Stable homes, strong schools, nutritious food, meaningful relationships and opportunities to learn, play and grow,” said Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Executive Director Paige Parks. “Rhode Island needs to continue tackling the housing crisis. Rhode Island’s housing is considered one of the least affordable in the country. We must also work to help families meet their economic needs through strategies like the proposed state Child Tax Credit and much-needed improvements to the Rhode Island Works program.”

https://pbn.com/kids-count-r-i-ranks-no-26-in-nation-for-child-well-being/ via Providence Business News Annie E. Casey Foundation

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island ranks No. 26 in the nation for child well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation annual KIDS COUNT Data Book released Monday. The report looks at four domains, economic, educational, health and family and community across all 50 states. However, a new scoring s...

06/08/2026

What do the data say about child well-being in RI? The 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book from Annie E. Casey Foundation provides a trusted snapshot of how children and families are faring across four areas: economic well-being, education, health and family and community factors.

This year’s enhanced index helps better illustrate how outcomes for kids are changing over time — giving communities and leaders better tools to understand the progress that has been made and identify where more action is needed. Explore the data: https://bit.ly/26DataBook-FB

06/08/2026

"The goal of public assistance should never be permanent dependence. It should be stability, employability, and a path forward. If we are serious about helping families move out of poverty, Rhode Island needs to build better offramps from public assistance." 💯💯💯

READ: Child support is not state revenue: Rhode Island urged to stop seizing child support from low-income families

The House minority leader and the head of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT want to change that:

Currently certain families receive only a limited amount of child support paid by a noncustodial parent, with the state retaining the rest. The House minority leader and the head of Rhode Island Kids Count want to change that.

06/04/2026

We are so excited to share an awesome new resource for you —community profiles!

We publish RI city + town level data in the Factbook. To support community-level work, we also compile info on 5 year trends for key indicators in an easy-to-read format: https://rikidscount.org/community-profiles/

06/04/2026

We were delighted to see that the FY 2027 budget passed by the House Finance Committee last Friday includes many items that will support children and families. We need to ensure that these important investments remain in the final budget!

Link below with quick ways to take action for RI kids and families! Let’s do this!!

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Budget-includes-many-items-that-support-kids-and-families----last-opportunity-to-act-to-pass-important-legislation-.html?soid=1101809402224&aid=FfVdqkFYsd8

06/03/2026

Our Executive Director Paige Parks attended Sojourner House's 50th Anniversary Breakfast last week.

Thank you Sojourner House for your 50 years of supporting survivors, promoting health relationships, and advocating for change ♥️

06/02/2026

Thank you so much Central Falls for a wonderful Data in Your Backyard event!

Thank you BankNewport and UnitedHealthcare for partnering with us to make this possible ✨