Thank you for your commitment to Rhode Island KIDS COUNT’s mission to improve the health, safety, education, economic well-being and development of our state’s children and families, with a commitment to equity and closing unacceptable disparities by race, ethnicity, immigration status and income. Our work would not be possible without your continued support, encouragement, and belief in the power of effective advocacy.
 
We are writing to ask you to support our mission by making a year-end, tax-deductible, holiday contribution to Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. You have been a close partner in our work to improve the lives of children and youth, and our work together has never been more important.
 
This is a very exciting time at Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. After 28 years serving as Executive Director since Rhode Island KIDS COUNT started in 1994, Elizabeth Burke Bryant has stepped down from her position, and Paige Clausius-Parks became Executive Director as of December 1st. Paige has a deep commitment to children, youth, and their families and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to thrive. She has served on the staff of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT for four years as Senior Policy Analyst for Education and Economic Well-Being. Previously, she served as Director of Advancement and Assistant Director at Books are Wings, Network Director at Youth in Action, Teacher/Advisor at the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, and Program Coordinator at Youth Pride. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Providence College and a Master of Education from Harvard University. She is a graduate of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice Rhode Island Core Certificate Program.
 
We couldn’t be more excited about Rhode Island KIDS COUNT’s future of excellence and impact. Your continued support through your holiday, year-end donation will be enormously appreciated by both of us as the organization begins this new chapter.
 
Rhode Island’s prosperity depends on having well-educated children who are prepared for college and careers. In 2023 we will continue to advocate for equitable investments and improvements in Pre-K - 12 education as well as for critical investments in child care, out-of-school-time learning opportunities and the solid foundation of safe, affordable housing, nutrition and high-quality health care -- all of which make an enormous difference to children’s success in school. We will continue our important advocacy on children’s mental health, juvenile justice and child welfare reforms, with a key focus on youth aging out of DCYF.
 
Thanks to your support we have made important progress. Rhode Island’s high-quality state Pre-K program has expanded to serve over 2,300 young children in 18 communities. Our ongoing advocacy for children’s health has contributed to Rhode Island being ranked fourth best in the nation for children’s health insurance coverage, with 97.5% of our children covered. This year, our advocacy efforts contributed to passage of Cover All Kids that now provides RIte Care coverage to all eligible children regardless of immigration status, and passage of the Trauma-Informed Schools Act to ensure that all school personnel are able to identify children affected by trauma. These policies and investments will pay dividends far into the future.
 
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT’s work has made a difference in the lives of thousands of children in our state and there is much more work to do. Your loyal, ongoing support is greatly appreciated and is essential for Rhode Island KIDS COUNT’s continued impact as the organization begins its exciting new chapter. Thank you for your commitment to Rhode Island’s children and families and for all you do!

Sincerely,
 
 
Elizabeth Burke Bryant                                              Paige Clausius-Parks
Outgoing Executive Director                                     Incoming Executive Director  
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is a statewide children’s policy organization that works to improve the health, economic well-being, safety, education, and development of Rhode Island children with a core focus on equity. | www.rikidscount.org|