This episode dives into Rhode Island's latest child well-being report, revealing critical insights into the state's progress and ongoing challenges. Paige Parks discusses with Rhode Island Kids Count Executive Director, Paige Parks, about systemic issues affecting children—covering poverty, education gaps, healthcare access, and immigrant family experiences.

In this episode:

The significance of data-driven advocacy for children's issues
Over 15% of Rhode Island children live in poverty, amidst soaring housing costs
Trends in education: declining absenteeism but persistent challenges in early childhood access
Impact of federal policy changes on health insurance and social services
The rising number of children in immigrant families—nearly 30%—and the importance of multilingual education programs
How COVID-19 and inflation are magnifying disparities and stressors on families
The need for more investments in childcare, social safety nets, and community-based support
The threat and potential rollback of critical federal and state programs due to policy shifts
Strategies for advocacy and coalition-building at the state level

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Rhode Island Kids Count and their mission

02:06 - The importance of putting children at the top of the policy agenda

03:43 - Key findings from the 2026 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook

04:10 - Child poverty and housing affordability crisis in Rhode Island

05:13 - Ripple effects of unstable housing on children’s well-being

06:42 - The true cost of living in Rhode Island—almost 100k needed to stay afloat

07:33 - Education insights: progress vs. persistent gaps in early childhood and K-12

08:46 - Supporting the whole child: addressing food insecurity and school readiness

09:57 - Chronic absenteeism: causes, challenges, and the importance of data

11:20 - Health coverage: progress, disparities, and threats from federal policy changes

13:20 - Exposure to violence, domestic situations, and their impact on children

14:06 - The state of maternal and infant health care; disparities by race

15:31 - The vulnerability of immigrant children and families amid federal immigration policies

16:48 - The importance of local data amid federal funding cuts

18:41 - Strategies for advocacy and policy impact amidst political changes

20:15 - Federal data reductions: implications for statewide policy and program planning

22:54 - The rising needs of immigrant families for services like dual-language education and workforce support

24:11 - Addressing data gaps and community engagement for better child outcomes

25:37 - The recent legislative session and how coalitions influence policy for children

27:33 - Upcoming challenges: the impact of federal policies like HR 1 on families

29:16 - The importance of economic investments to sustain child benefit programs

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