News from Rhode Island Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund
December eNEWS
Happy Holidays from all of us at LISC!

This season is a time for reflecting—on the accomplishments of the year gone by, and on our hopes for the year to come. Thank you to all the wonderful partners, funders and friends who make our work possible. And here’s to a prosperous and happy New Year!
LISC – Rhode Island celebrates 25 years of investing in Rhode Island  

LISC Rhode Island turns 25 in 2016. Learn more about our campaign to Invest in Rhode Island.
Survey Raffle Winner to be Announced on December 22nd  

In 2016 we will launch a number of trainings designed to help you plan for and implement indoor and outdoor facility improvement projects. We want to make sure that the trainings we plan best meet your needs. Please take a minute to complete our quick survey. Complete this 6-question survey and you will be entered to win a $250.00 grant for your early learning center! Winner will be announced on December 22nd!
Race to the Top Early Learning Facilities Grants – Update on Final Funding

Funding decisions have been made and notifications have been sent for the fifth and final wave of Early Learning Facility Grant funding under the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge. The final wave of funding was extremely competitive and we were only able to fund 17% of the centers who applied. We recognize the tremendous need for facility improvement funds and supports and we hope that you will join us in continuing to advocate for additional resources in this area.

If you have additional facility projects that need completing, LISC offers financing for eligible child care and early learning programs for facility projects. You can learn more at www.riccelff.org or www.rilisc.org.
CENTER SPOTLIGHT! East Bay Community Action Program Head Start – Turner Avenue Center 

When EBCAP learned they had an opportunity to apply for a State Pre-K classroom to expand educational opportunity to East Providence residents,   they were thrilled, but there was a problem – they didn’t have an open classroom space! So they quickly got to work thinking creatively and applied for Race to the Top Facility Grant funding to convert an under-utilized indoor gross motor space at their Turner Avenue Center   into a compliant DCYF Child Care licensed classroom...
Is It Safe to Play Outdoors in Winter? 

Children (and adults too) can benefit from playing outdoors in all weather conditions, including winter. Winter play can be an opportunity to explore the outdoor environment in a different way while developing new gross motor and balance skills, all on a blanket of snow. 

Take a moment to read this article about outdoor winter play and learn not only about how outdoor play can be healthy, but how you can also avoid cold-related injuries.
Don’t Forget to Visit our Resource Library to view our Resource Guides, Fast Facts Sheets and helpful articles on topics related to facilities 

About RICCELFF

The Rhode Island Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund (RICCELFF) is an innovative public-private partnership dedicated to expanding access to quality child care and early education opportunities throughout Rhode Island. The RICCELFF provides the capital and technical expertise that child care and early learning centers need to improve the quality and capacity of their physical space. The RICCELFF provides a combination of training, technical assistance, grant funding and flexible, affordable financing for a wide range of indoor and outdoor projects including minor renovations or construction of new, state-of-the art facilities and playground spaces. Click here to learn more about what the RICCELFF can offer your program.
LISC Rhode Island Child Care & Early Learning Facilities Fund  |  146 Clifford Street
Providence, RI 02903 |  [email protected] | riccelff.org
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