On behalf of the Board of Directors of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, I am thrilled to announce that Paige Clausius-Parks has been named Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, effective December 1st. Paige is a dynamic leader with a deep commitment to children, youth and their families and ensuring that all children and youth have the opportunity to thrive. She has a stellar reputation in the state for her dynamic leadership and convening skills, her strategic work with community-based and government partners to move equitable policies forward, and her ability to form effective partnerships.
Paige is the ideal leader with the energy and vision to lead Rhode Island KIDS COUNT forward with excellence and impact. She has outstanding relationships with community and youth leaders, elected officials, non-profit colleagues, parent organizations, educators, and philanthropic leaders that will allow her to effectively build on Rhode Island KIDS COUNT’s nearly three decades of children’s public policy and advocacy success.
Paige Clausius-Parks has been a Senior Policy Analyst at Rhode Island KIDS COUNT for the past four years. In that role, she has been responsible for policy analysis, advocacy, and project management in areas related to education and economic well-being. Paige has advocated for the needs of Rhode Island students and families by testifying on budgetary investments and legislation that impact economic stability and mobility, school curriculum, school culture, and college and career readiness initiatives. She has worked tirelessly to ensure students in low-income families, Students of Color, Multilingual Learners, and students with disabilities receive the resources they need to succeed.
Paige has served on many coalitions and advisory groups including the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner Advisory Committee, the City of Providence COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Task Force, the working group for the Providence Guaranteed Income Initiative, the Raising RI Coalition, and the Coalition for Multilingual Learners. She co-chairs the Rhode Island Works Advisory Committee and leads the RI Alliance for College and Career Readiness and the Anti-Racist Education Policy Collaborative. Paige served as a member of the Providence Public Schools review team and co-chaired the Excellence in Learning subcommittee of the Community Design Team, the team charged with helping to develop the Providence Turnaround Action Plan.
Prior to joining the Rhode Island KIDS COUNT staff, Paige served as Director of Advancement and Assistant Director at Books Are Wings, Network Director at Youth In Action, Teacher/Advisor at the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, and Program Coordinator at Youth Pride, Inc. Paige has a Bachelor of Arts from Providence College and a Master of Education from Harvard University. She is a graduate of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice Rhode Island Core Certificate Program, and holds a Rhode Island educator certification in secondary social studies. While at PC, she co-founded the College's first LGBTQ+ student organization. She lives in Cumberland, RI with her wife and two children.
The Board and staff of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT look forward to working with Paige in her new role. Elizabeth Burke Bryant, current Executive Director, will serve as Transition Advisor from December 1st through the end of the year.
Marisa Albanese, Board Chairperson
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
