The proposed bill, known as the "Rhode Island Early Educator Workforce Act," aims to address the challenges faced by early childhood educators in Rhode Island, particularly concerning their low wages and the need for better support and development opportunities. The legislation recognizes the critical role that quality interactions with caregivers and educators play in young children's brain development.

To achieve these goals, the bill directs the departments of human services and education to work collaboratively to allocate sufficient funds for various initiatives, including:

1. Continuing the Rhode Island T.E.A.C.H. early childhood program, which is a comprehensive, research-based workforce development scholarship program designed to support the attainment of the national Child Development Associate credential and the completion of college coursework and degrees in early childhood education and child or youth development.

2. Strengthening registered apprenticeships for early educators that support the attainment of national credentials, college coursework, and degrees while providing opportunities for high-quality practices through regular on-the-job coaching by master early educators.

3. Allocating at least $1,000,000 annually to continue the Child Care WAGE$ program, a national model aimed at improving compensation, education, and retention of early educators by providing education-based salary supplements to low-paid center-based educators, directors, and family childcare providers working with children in licensed early childhood programs.

The act will take effect upon passage.