Agency: Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) – Child Care Licensing Unit
Website: https://dhs.ri.gov
Description: The Rhode Island Department of Human Services licenses and regulates child care centers, family child care homes, group family child care homes, and school-age programs. The department provides licensing regulations, inspections, provider resources, forms, and compliance guidance.
Program: BrightStars
Website: https://www.brightstars.org
Description: BrightStars is Rhode Island's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), supporting continuous quality improvement through coaching, technical assistance, professional development, and quality recognition.
Registry: Rhode Island Workforce Knowledge & Competency Framework / Center for Early Learning Professionals Registry
Website: https://center-elp.org
Description: Rhode Island's professional development system allows early childhood professionals to document education, credentials, training, and career advancement while accessing approved professional development opportunities.
Organization: BrightStars Child Care Resource & Referral
Website: https://www.brightstars.org
Description: Rhode Island's Child Care Resource & Referral program provides referrals, coaching, technical assistance, professional development, and business support for child care providers and families.
Organization: Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC)
Website: https://www.riaeyc.org
Description: Supports early childhood professionals through advocacy, conferences, networking, leadership development, and professional learning opportunities.
Organization: Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE)
Website: https://ride.ri.gov
Description: Administers Rhode Island's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), providing reimbursement, nutrition guidance, training, and technical assistance.
Agency: Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Website: https://dhs.ri.gov
Description: Child care providers and employees must complete fingerprint-based criminal background checks and required child abuse clearances before working in licensed child care settings.
Program: Rhode Island State Pre-K Program
Website: https://ride.ri.gov
Description: Rhode Island's State Pre-K Program provides high-quality preschool opportunities for eligible four-year-old children through public schools and community-based providers.
Program: Early Intervention Program
Website: https://health.ri.gov
Description: Rhode Island's Early Intervention Program provides coordinated services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities while supporting families.
Organization: Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Website: https://dhs.ri.gov
Description: Provides workforce initiatives, scholarships, quality improvement supports, grants, and professional development opportunities for Rhode Island's early childhood professionals.
Training requirements include pediatric CPR and First Aid, health and safety, child abuse and neglect reporting, safe sleep practices, emergency preparedness, and ongoing professional development.
Website: https://dhs.ri.gov
Description: Access licensing applications, provider forms, inspection reports, regulations, background check information, and additional child care resources.
Website: https://dhs.ri.gov
Description: Stay informed about licensing updates, policy changes, grant opportunities, quality initiatives, professional development, and early childhood news throughout Rhode Island.
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