2-1-1 adds BrightStars service

By Rebecca Keister
PBN Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE – BrightStars has begun a pilot program in partnership with United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island that will make its child care referral service available to families at any time in 175 languages and dialects.

“BrightStars makes it possible for families to have high-quality options to meet their child care and after-school needs,” said Tammy Camillo, director. “Our partnership with 2-1-1 ensures that families can access information on quality child care and receive referral assistance online or over the phone, 24 hours a day.”

Managed by the Rhode Island Association for Education of Young Children, BrightStars aims to help families access quality child care, early learning and school-age programs.

In joining with United Way 2-1-1, the organization cites the 2012 Zero to Three Rhode Island fact sheet that reports 78 percent of mothers to children under 6 years old work and that more than 33 percent of children 5 and under have parents who have had to make emergency childcare arrangements or change jobs due to child care issues.

United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island is a 24-hour information and referral line provided free of charge to state residents to assist them in cases of emergencies.