Speaker Shekarchi applauds $3.64M in early intervention grants to nine providers across Rhode Island

Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) is applauding today’s announced distribution of $3.64 million in CARES Act funding to support nine early intervention providers in Rhode Island. These funds are in addition to the $5.5 million for early intervention that the Governor included in his RI Rebounds down payment proposal currently before the General Assembly. These grants help offset the significant revenue losses and extraordinary expenses incurred by these providers due to the pandemic and will assist providers in recruiting and retaining workers, avoiding further closures, and providing continued services to children with developmental needs.
 
“I applaud the Governor for getting the CARES Act funding out so quickly for these vital early intervention services to assist children and families,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “Early intervention is a high priority to many of the House members.”
 
Early intervention provides essential early childhood development services that support healthy outcomes for children. Due to the pandemic, early intervention providers faced significant losses due to the current rates, and today are struggling to hire and retain the staff needed to provide programming to all children needing early intervention services.
 
The nine early intervention providers receiving grant awards are:
 
·     Children’s Friend: $460,128.43
·     Community Care Alliance: $334,949.66
·     Easter Seals Rhode Island: $45,944.48
·     Family Service of Rhode Island: $344,995.48
·     Groden Center: $333,288.23
·     Looking Upwards: $144,285.87
·     Meeting Street: $1,082,318.47
·     Seven Hills Rhode Island: $413,938.61
·     J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center: $480,150.78