These evaluations show how your child is growing and learning.

These programs support early learning and special education.

Early childhood health and well-being are the foundation for lifelong growth and learning. These resources can help you build a strong, and safe, start for your child’s future.

• Car seats: Infants and toddlers are especially vulnerable to injury due to their small size and developing bodies. Car seats are designed to keep them securely in place, reducing the risk of serious injury or death. Using the right car seat for your child’s age, weight, and height is one of the most important things you can do. Your local police department will help you by checking your car seat for proper installation.

• Choking: As soon as children begin to crawl or eat table foods, it’s important to take steps to prevent choking. Kids under age 5 are at higher risk because they can easily choke on certain foods or small objects within their reach. Always keep a close eye on what they’re eating and what’s around them to help keep them safe.

 

• Environmental hazards: 

  • Lead: Children younger than 6 years old are most at risk for lead exposure. Young children often put their hands, toys, and other objects in their mouths, which may have lead dust on them. Even small amounts of lead exposure can negatively affect a child’s development and cause serious health issues, including learning disabilities, reduced IQ, and shortened attention span. Testing is often recommended annually but may be done more frequently if your pediatrician advises.

  • Radon: Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can seep into homes from the ground. It poses a serious health risk for infants and toddlers. When radon is breathed in over time, it can damage the lungs and increase the risk of lung cancer. Young children are particularly vulnerable. You can conduct a store bought test in your home easily.

  • Secondhand smoke: Secondhand smoke from burning tobacco products contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer. Women who are pregnant, babies, children, people with asthma, and other chronic health conditions are particularly at-risk of developing health problems from secondhand smoke.

• Find a doctor or pediatrician: A good pediatrician should be someone you trust, who communicates clearly, and who partners with you in your child’s health and development. When choosing a pediatrician or other health care professional for your family, be sure they are in-network with your insurance provider to ensure the lowest out-of-pocket costs. In addition, is the office conveniently located? Do the hours work with your schedule? How easy is it to get a same-day or sick visit? appointment? Is there a nurse advice line or on-call physician available after hours or on weekends? Look here for licensed physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners practicing in Rhode Island. Search by name, profession, medical specialty or city or town. You may also want to ask other parents, teachers, or early childhood providers for recommendations.
• Food Allergies: Children are more vulnerable to allergic reactions, which can range from mild symptoms like rashes or stomach discomfort to severe and life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis. Identifying and managing food allergies early helps prevent health risks and ensures your child gets the nutrition they need in a safe way.
• Immunizations: Vaccinations during the first 12 months will protect your child against disease. Find out which vaccinations your child needs before they can attend childcare or school. If you’re pregnant, help protect yourself and your unborn baby by ensuring your prenatal immunizations are up to date. If your family doesn’t have health insurance, this walk-in clinic offers free vaccinations for children and adults.
• Information for new parents: Taking care of your baby’s health and wellness can be overwhelming for a new parent. Here you’ll find helpful information about keeping infants and toddlers healthy, safe, and happy. You’ll find tips on feeding, sleep, checkups, and more to help you feel confident as your baby grows.
• Nutrition: Nutrition supports brain and body development, strengthens the immune system, and helps prevent developmental delays. During the early years, children require a diverse range of nutrients to develop strong bones, muscles, and cognitive skills. Good nutrition also shapes lifelong eating habits, promotes healthy growth, and provides the energy needed to learn and play.
• Oral health: and dental care. Rhode Island’s Teeth First program provides tips on keeping your child’s teeth healthy, finding a dentist, and how dental insurance can help pay for care.
• Potty training: Potty training helps children develop independence, self-control, and hygiene habits that are essential for daily life. It’s a key developmental milestone that supports a child’s confidence and readiness for preschool or social settings. Coming up with a potty training plan is important. It can make the process less stressful for you and your child.
• Safe sleep: As a parent or caregiver, it is vital that you create a safe sleep environment for your baby. Learn about steps you can take to put your baby “safe to sleep” for every sleep, to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID).

Caring for your child’s mental health is just as important as supporting their physical growth. Support is also available for parents and caregivers who may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or in need of someone to talk to.

• Behavioral health: If you are concerned about your child’s mental or behavioral health, Bradley Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital have programs to assess your child and support you. You can also find state services and resources here.

• Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics: A Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) provides mental health services to anyone who needs help, no matter their age, diagnosis, insurance, or ability to pay. These clinics are approved by the State of Rhode Island and are open to everyone.

• Social and emotional development: All children are different and grow at their own pace. Children feel safe and thrive when they have caring people around them. All children, including those with special needs, grow and learn best when they feel supported and understood. Explore more information and activities that support healthy social and emotional development.

Sometimes families need extra support. This section connects you with people and programs that can help.

• Breastfeeding support: Breastfeeding gives babies a healthy start and is good for parents too. Breastfeeding can be both rewarding and challenging, but there are resources to help you through every step.   

• The Family Care Community Partnership (FCCP): serves families at-risk for involvement with the Rhode Island Department of Children Youth and Families. FCCP services include referrals, triage, initial needs screening, in-person intake, resource information, referral and linkages to community resources, and high-fidelity wraparound services (which include crisis stabilization and are a type of family preservation service).
• Family Visiting: This free program supports expectant parents and families with young children. Trained family visitors can meet with you at home, in the community, or online. They offer help during pregnancy and the early years, answer your questions, and share fun, age-appropriate activities to help your child grow and learn. Family visitors also give tips on your baby’s development and connect you to other services if needed.
• Food, housing, and heating assistance: If you’re struggling with these issues, there are programs that can help, including the Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP), RIDHS energy assistance program, United Way Good Neighbor Energy Fund, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. 
• Health insurance: Find affordable, high-quality health coverage for your family at HealthSource RI, Rhode Island’s official place to purchase a plan. Compare options and check to see if you are eligible for free or low-cost health coverage (including Medicaid).
• Paid family leave: When you need to take extended time away from work to care for a newborn or ill child, Temporary Caregiver or Disability Insurance can help. Find out if you qualify.
• Parent support: The Parent Support Network of RI and the RI Parent Information Network have a wide range of programs and services available for parents across Rhode Island. In addition, if you are pregnant and using, certified peer recovery support specialists are available.
• RI Works: is a financial and employment assistance program for parents and families with little to no income who have children high school age or younger. It gives individualized and family supportive services, job readiness, preparation and placement, employment or vocational training and retention services. Recipients can also receive child care, transportation and educational services towards the goal of improved long-term stabilization.
• United Way 211: This free, confidential resource can provide immediate information for families looking for a variety of support for issues such as housing or food insecurity, transportation, and legal assistance.
• WIC: This program is for eligible pregnant women and caregivers of infants and children up to age 5. You can receive one-on-one nutritional counseling, grocery benefits, health and social service referrals, as well as breastfeeding support.