Speaking Out on Our Priorities at the RI State House: Advancing Education Equity

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is the convener of the Anti-Racist Education Policy Collaborative, a coalition lead by youth and parents that works to advance education equity by uplifting youth and parent voices and addressing systemic inequities in our schools. 

On April 28, 2026, youth from the Anti-Racist Education Policy Collaborative, in partnership with the Center for Youth and Community Leadership in Education (CYCLE), hosted an Advocacy Day at the State House to advocate for three legislative priorities. There was a particular focus on the bill to increase school social workers (House Bill 7456, sponsored by Shallcross Smith), which was heard that evening.

During the hearing, three Rhode Island KIDS COUNT policy priorities were considered in the House Finance Committee: improving the education funding formula, increasing the number of school social workers, and providing funding for out-of-school-time (OST) providers to equip them with the tools and resources needed to support child and youth mental health.

WATCH + READ OUR TESTIMONY:


On April 28, 2026, our Executive Director Paige Parks, EdM testified in strong support of House Bill 8351, which would make improvements to the state’s education funding formula based on the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission.

• Watch Paige's full testimony
• Read Paige's testimony
• Read our Fact Sheet

On April 28, 2026, our Senior Advocacy and Community Engagement Manager Jessica Vega, MA testified in strong support of two bills -- House Bill 7456, which would require all public schools in grades kindergarten through 12 to have at least one full-time certified school social worker for every 250 students and provide for an appropriation by the General Assembly of $2M in the budget for FY 2027 and House Bill 7501, which would support the mental health and emotional well-being of children and youth by investing in out-of-school time (OST) programs.

• Watch Jessica's full testimony
• Read Jessica's testimony on school social workers
• Read Jessica's testimony on out-of-school time programs
• Learn more in these Fact Sheets -- Combat the Student Mental Health Crisis: Fund More School Social Workers and Building Opportunities In Out-Of-School Time.

LEARN MORE:


• Please see pictures from the Anti-Racist Education Policy Collaborative/Center for Youth and Community Leadership in Education Advocacy Day

TAKE ACTION:

• If you want to get involved in these issues and voice your support for these bills, this advocacy tool is here to help!

• See legislation we are currently tracking and legislative testimony we have submitted to the Rhode Island General Assembly.
  
• Follow us on social to see when you can join us at the State House to testify in support of our priorities!

• Donate to ensure that we continue our important advocacy in early childhood development, education, health, youth justice, safety and child welfare and equity-driven policies

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT advances equitable policies that improve the lives of all Rhode Island children and eliminate disparities through the power of data, advocacy, and civic action. www.rikidscount.org