The New England Board of Higher Education honored Rhode Island KIDS COUNT with its Robert J. McKenna Award for Program Achievement at the 13th annual New England Higher Education Excellence Awards ceremony at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf Hotel on Friday, March 13.

More than 400 people attended this event, including leaders of education, business and government from across the six New England states.

“Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is honored to receive the New England Board of Higher Education’s Robert J. McKenna Award for Program Achievement. We are grateful that Sen. Hanna Gallo nominated Rhode Island KIDS COUNT for this prestigious award,” said Elizabeth Burke Bryant, executive director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT.

“The policy and advocacy work of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT has made a significant difference in improving the educational outcomes of Rhode Island’s children and youth by providing the information policy makers need to make the best policy decisions,” said Rhode Island state Sen. Hanna Gallo. “The organization’s work has helped to ensure that more Rhode Island students have high quality educational experiences from early childhood education, including pre-K and full-day kindergarten, all the way through access to college and careers. I am pleased that Rhode Island KIDS COUNT was selected as a leading organization in New England with this award.”

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is a statewide children’s policy organization that works to improve the health, economic well-being, safety, education and development of Rhode Island children.

Since 1955, the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) has promoted greater educational opportunities for the residents of New England. NEBHE provides policy leadership on key issues related to higher education and promotes dialogue, research and best practices related to education and the New England economy.