Introduced By: Representatives Abdullah-Odiase, Slater, Almeida, Benoit and Garabedian
Date Introduced : May 5, 1999
WHEREAS, In 1996 the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted laws to reform the state's welfare system; and
WHEREAS, Those persons now on public assistance are being encouraged, and in many instances required, to transition from welfare to work; and
WHEREAS, Quality affordable child care is an essential support service needed by many parents seeking to become and/or remain gainfully employed; and
WHEREAS, Rhode Island Kids Count and the RI Department of Human Services have documented the shortage of spaces in affordable child care centers given the level of increasing demand for these services; and
WHEREAS, Quality child care is known to contribute in important ways to early childhood development and a reduction in the rate of future welfare dependency; and
WHEREAS, Quality child care is known to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the local, regional and national economies by helping to support working families; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations declares its strong support for the development of new licensed child care centers throughout the state which will increase the quantity of child care services available to Rhode Island employers and their workers; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the RI Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Human Services work together with interested private organizations and partnerships to facilitate the creation of such centers, especially in those areas of the state with high percentages of persons currently on welfare and where major employers are located; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Governor, the directors of the RI Department of Human Services, the RI Department of Children, Youth and Families, and the RI Economic Development Corporation, as well as to the directors of all charitable foundations based in Rhode Island, the RI Kids Count, the RI Economic Policy Council, and all community economic development corporations operating within the State of Rhode Island.
