Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages and Senator Kevin Thomas secured $500K in funding for the Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education (RTAC). The RTAC was created to implement best practices, tether Pre-K and community programs to the K through 12 educational system and serve as a model for New York State.
"Children need safe, stimulating and nurturing environments in order to support healthy brain development and lay the foundation for lifelong learning and overall well-being. I am proud to announce that the New York State FY 2021-22 Budget included monies for a Long Island Pre-K Regional Technical Assistance Center. This incentive works in to support and strengthen the coordination of early childhood education,” said Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages. “Pre-K is critical to step in providing children with an equitable start and it saves money in both the short and long-term by significantly reducing achievement gaps. The Regional Technical Center is vital to ensuring school readiness as well as building a workforce pipeline for the future of our region. "
Senator Kevin Thomas said, “Early childhood education programs are a proven strategy for putting children on a path to success in school and beyond. I am thrilled to announce that this year’s state budget includes vital funding for the Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education (RTAC) to support the expansion of Pre-K and Early Childhood Education on Long Island. Pre-K programs are a vital resource for so many children and families across Long Island and should not be limited to those families who can afford to pay for high priced private schooling. This funding represents our strong commitment to building an education system that lifts up every child.”
Senator Anna M. Kaplan said “I’m proud to have fought to bring back record funding to expand Pre-K on Long Island to more families than ever, and I’m thrilled that we were able to secure additional funding for the Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center (RTAC) for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education in my district, so that we have the tools and resources necessary to put those funds to work right away for our kids. I have no doubt that with the support and expertise provided by the RTAC and its collaborating partners, the children of Long Island will soon have the best Pre-Kindergarten experience in the entire state.”
“We are extremely excited and grateful that our Long Island legislators, thought leaders and stakeholders were able to work together to get funding for the Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education into this year’s New York State budget. The Center supports the expansion of Pre-K on Long Island, provides professional development to ensure quality programs, builds partnerships between school districts and community-based organizations and provide technical expertise for Pre-K program leaders. The Long Island region receives the least amount of public funding for Pre-K so it is important that we coordinate the resources have and work together to build a system that assures access and equity for all children.” – Dr. Carla Theodorou, RTAC Coordinator and Executive Director, Nassau BOCES Regional Schools and Instructional Programs
“The state budget has lots of new funds for Pre-K expansion for districts on Long Island. This is an incredible opportunity for Long Island to provide full-day public Pre-K to many more 4-year olds. The RTAC has been preparing for this – making sure that Long Island would be ready and able to use new pre-k funding if it became available. We know there are challenges with space, timing of funding, contract requirements, curriculum, staff and outreach. This level of expansion will also require partnership between school districts and the local community-based childcare programs.” - Jennifer Marino Rojas, Executive Director, Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc.
“The passage of a New York State Budget that meets this crucial moment in time is energizing and affirming. We thank our Long Island legislators for dedicating funding to the Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education (RTAC). Along with the other dedicated RTAC collaborators, we are ready to get to work because the lives and educational experiences of Long Island’s Pre-K children, especially the BIPOC families and communities who have been disproportionately harmed by the pandemic need our support.” – Joy Connolly, Executive Director, Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc.
“Long Island’s Regional Technical Assistance Center is a champion for quality education programs for our youngest learners and the teachers who serve them. Through a diverse array of services, including but not limited to, workshops, mentoring and coaching, RTAC offers school districts and community-based organizations the tools to successfully teach the whole child and the support needed to build partnerships with families and other community stakeholders.”-Florence Barbour, Executive Director, Harbor Child Care
The RTAC, which was originally funded by the State as a pilot in 2019, and its network of partners can:
- Support planning for new programs
- Help districts plan for instruction that is age appropriate
- Support district outreach and partnership to community-based organizations
- Provide training for teachers on best practices
- Assist in the recruitment of quality staff
- And provide technical assistance in gaining access to the funds.
RTAC’s collaborating partners include:
- The Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc.
- The Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc.
- Choice for All
- Eastern Suffolk BOCES
- The Long Island Pre-K Initiative
- The Long Island Regional Early Childhood Career Development CenterThe Long Island Regional Leadership Initiative
- Nassau BOCES
- The New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
- Western Suffolk BOCES