RIAIMH Opportunities / Oportunidades de RIAIMH

Learning Collaborative in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health for Early Childhood Education Professionals Early care and education providers have unique opportunities to promote infant/early childhood mental health by building and nurturing relationships that support social and emotional development, healthy attachments, and family engagement. This work impacts early brain development and is critical for the […]

En español abajo DHS is partnering with Education Development Center (EDC) on a research study examining supports for child care providers and the factors families consider when choosing child care. As part of the study, the research team created a short online survey to understand what parents and caregivers prioritize when choosing child care. EDC […]

Thank you to the many school and child care representatives who attended our November 5 training on the Rhode Island Department of Health’s new Noro-like Illness Outbreak Reporting System. The training slides and recording are now available online (in English only): Norovirus & Respiratory Outbreak Management System Training for Schools Slides Norovirus & Respiratory Outbreak […]

Free Testing for Lead in Drinking Water at Group Child Cares and Child Care Centers The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is encouraging licensed child care facilities to sign up to have their drinking water tested for lead for free. This is part of an ongoing effort to identify and address sources of possible […]

Español Está Abajo New Noro-Like Outbreak Reporting System Coming Soon Starting November 6, Rhode Island schools and childcare facilities will report all norovirus-like outbreaks in a new outbreak reporting system called REDCap. The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) will host a Zoom training on how to use the system on November 5 from 11 […]

Dear Community Partners, As you may have seen, Governor McKee issued a statement today warning that without immediate federal action, federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be distributed in November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This development, driven by the prolonged inaction of the federal government, affects more than […]

Español Está Abajo   Dear Valued Family Child Care providers,   To streamline the process of completing required Comprehensive Background Checks, DHS is making the following changes to the process for both fingerprinting and child abuse and neglect checks (DCYF). The following process will be effective immediately.   All Family Child Care Providers (you!), your assistants […]

Valued providers,   I hope everyone is having a great start to the school year. I wanted to take the opportunity to provide you with some important updates regarding both RISES and our next All Provider Meetings occurring in October (see dates below). I also wanted to make you aware that DHS Office of Child Care […]

Valued partners, The Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) will be temporarily closing the Woonsocket Office at 219 Pond Street in order to complete important customer-focused renovations. The closure is expected to be for about one week starting September 10 and ending September 15 from the customer’s perspective. This means walk-in customers going to […]

We’re excited to announce the launch of the CHILD CARE WAGE$ Rhode Island Program, providing wage supplements to highly qualified early childhood educators across the state. While the goals of the new program remain aligned with those of the Step Up to WAGE$ pilot program, there are a few key changes to the structure and […]