The SAVE program is currently in limbo due to recent court rulings.
Last-reviewed: March 9, 2026
Latest News
- The Child Care for Child Care Educator pilot was extended for another three years.
- Child care workers with children enrolled in DHS licensed child care programs may be eligible for a childcare subsidy through a special pilot called CCAP for Child Care Staff.
- RI banned student use of cell phones during school hours. Exceptions apply to students with IEPs and 504 plans.
- RI joined a lawsuit against the federal Department of Education challenging new eligibility restrictions for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). PLSF forgives federal student loans for government and non-profit employees who have given 10 years of service. The new rules will make certain employers ineligible if they engage in activities the federal government deems “unlawful.”
Childcare and pre-school
- RIDE, along with the RI Attorney General’s office, issued this guidance to schools that outlines schools obligations to safeguard the rights of students regardless of their identity, gender and sexuality. The guidance also directs schools not to change their diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs.
- RIDE, along with the RI Attorney General’s office, also issued this guidance to schools outlining students’ rights and school’s responsibilities to protect their rights.
- Children are entitled to enroll in public schools.
- Unauthorized adults are not permitted inside schools.
- While ICE can conduct activities in schools, they must have a signed judicial warrant.
- Families with income under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Enrolled families are eligible until they meet 300% of the Guidelines.
K-12 Education
- To be eligible for school-based nutrition programs, like free or reduced school breakfast and lunch, some families will have to complete applications to enroll their children. RIDE has this outreach toolkit that explains program types, eligibility requirements, and outreach strategies.
- National School Lunch Program information.
- Parents can request a facilitated IEP process to help develop an individualized education program for students with disabilities so that their child receives the free and appropriate education they are entitled to. Parents can call RIDE to request this service at (401) 222-8999 or by email at RIDECallCenter@ride.ri.gov.
- Under Title IX, pregnant or parenting students have the right to continue to go to school, participate in extracurricular activities, and be provided reasonable adjustments to education.
College and Higher Education
- The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan remains in legal turmoil. While there have been recent court rulings, they did not lead to clarifying whether the plan would continue. For now, borrowers enrolled in SAVE can proactively look into other repayment plans.
- Federal Student Aid is encouraging affected borrowers to use their Loan Simulator to learn about other repayment options. These changes cannot be implemented UNTIL the court approves the settlement. Read more from Legal Key’s Federal Digital Digest.
- Rhode Island guarantees in-state tuition for all Rhode Islanders at CCRI. Conditions apply.
Unlocking Access® Resources for Care Teams
There are many ways care teams can support students and families to meet education and childcare-related needs. For more specific legal information and strategies, care team members who have access to Legal Key’s Unlocking Access® Hub should log in.
If you are a Legal Key partner who does not have their login information, or you’d like to learn more about how to gain access to the Unlocking Access® Hub, get in touch with us!
Spotlight on Equity
- Care teams working with children, youths and their families can help uplift key anti-discrimination rights to help protect against discrimination in publicly funded schools.
- Under federal law, discrimination is prohibited on the basis of race, color and national origin, sex, disability, or age. RI also prohibits discrimination based on a student’s (perceived or actual) sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Schools are required to maintain anti-discrimination policies that set out procedures to report discrimination.
- You can help a student who believes they have been discriminated against in their school by:
- Accessing their school’s anti-discrimination policy by doing an internet search for: [town name] schools non-discrimination policy.
- Sharing the RI Department of Education’s Civil Rights webpage.
- Connecting families to the US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights to file a complaint or to the RI American Civil Liberties Union.
Other Resources
- Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE)
- RIDE Special Education resource page
- RIPIN
- Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) & Head Start
- Family visiting
- Student loan forgiveness information
Advocacy Corner
Individual Advocacy
Access to childcare is critical to being able to work or go to school; in-state tuition and financial aid pave the way to higher education and non-degree professional certificate programs; individual education plans (IEP) and 504 plans support children with disabilities and learning differences. Care team members can support families encountering obstacles to accessing child care or education.
Policy Advocacy
Policy advocacy around education and childcare is broad. Local Rhode Island organizations working in this arena include:
- Rhode Island Kids COUNT
- Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families
- Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE)
Youth Led Organizations:
- Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education (ARISE)
- Providence Student Union (PSU)
- Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM)
- Youth In Action (YIA)
- Young Voices (YV)
Local organizations supporting population-focused advocacy around education and childcare include:
Federal organizations addressing education and childcare access include: