Location of Meeting: Virtual (GoToMeeting) https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/#/s/bd3100122d4c1654572e28c408583f64790dd6987490f6a61e1be69546b7e2bb
In Attendance:
Board:
Amy Vogel Dr. Day Care
Rebecca Compton Dr. Day Care
Members:
Charlene Barbieri Little Learners Academy
Missy Davis Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
Becky Madden Little Acorns Academy
Susan Rachette Kinderdance and Fitness
Erin Van Durme The Children’s Workshop Foundation
Raya My Learning Tree
(Members arriving after 1:10 pm were not recorded)
Guests:
Leanne Barrett RI Kids Count
Rick McAuliffe Mayforth Group
Agenda:
- Welcome and introductions
- Guest speaker: Leanne Barrett, RI Kids Count
- RIght from the Start State Budget/Legislation Wrap Up
- State Budget for children and families, including child care and information on legislation that will likely pass
- Sign up for e-news at www.rightfromthestartri.org
- Guest speaker: Rick McAuliffe, Mayforth Group
- Legislative updates
- Member topics of discussion
- Seeking BOCA board member nominations
- Join BOCA – membership for 2025
- Meetings in 2026 – maybe drop down? Discussion with BOCA members.
Meeting Notes:
Members introduced themselves
Leanne went over slideshow – stats and information on child care in Rhode Island
Discussion on raised minimum wage impacting family eligibility for CCAP and other services
Discussion on federal poverty level vs state median income
The people that scream the loudest get the most – organizing and speaking up is so important
Have to keep fighting on important issues, can take time to effect change
New Senate President is a former school teacher
Will Speaker of the House run for Governor? Should know Sept/Oct.
A lot of unknowns that will happen over the next year
Let Rick know if you have a relationship with a state rep or senator
Personal stories have a big impact
Have to be active, helps to see a fresh face
Parents also have connections and power – helpful to have parents who are really struggling with child care bills who can speak to their representatives, Kids Count would love to help them write their story and get their message out
Fingerprints / background check can still be done at no cost at Attorney General’s office for another year
Leanne realized slide was missing, see the slideshow for the missing info ( slide that includes data on wages -You can right click on that slide and you can see historical data too)
Meeting adjourned at 1:57pm
Next meetings:
Skipping July & August
September 22, 2025
October 27, 2025
December 8, 2025
Current Membership as of 6/23/25:
| Acorn Academy, LLC |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern RI |
| Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center |
| Dr. Day Care Learning Center |
| East Bay Community Action Program Head Start |
| First Step Daycare Inc |
| Hamlet Learning Center |
| Haven Middletown/Coggeshall Club |
| Kids Klub |
| Kindermotion and Dance of New England |
| Little Learners Academy |
| MI School |
| My Learning Tree |
| North Smithfield Early Learning Center |
| Once Upon a Time Academy |
| The Children’s Workshop |
| West End Community Center |
Minutes submitted by Rebecca Compton