The Department of Children, Youth and Families is the state child welfare, children's mental health and juvenile corrections services agency which promotes safety, permanence, and well-being of children through partnerships with family, community, and government.

Voluntary Extension of Care ages 18-20

Foster Care and Adoption Information

The goal of foster care is to safely reunite children with their birth families whenever possible. When reunification is not possible, DCYF works with its partner agencies to match a child with an adoptive family. Many children who are adopted from foster care find their “forever families” in the homes of their foster parents.

Child Protective Services Information

CPS operates 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Investigators receive and screen reports of suspected abuse and neglect on the Department’s hotline (1-800-RI-CHILD) and conduct associated investigations, as needed.

Family Service Unit Information

The Family Service Units division (FSU) of the Department becomes involved with families after a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation has been conducted and a determination made that services are needed to address abuse, neglect, or dependency within the family.

Division of Community Services and Behavioral Health Information

Community Services & Behavioral Health (CSBH) is responsible for developing a continuum of care for children's behavioral health services that supports children to live in family settings. CSBH encourages services to prevent hospitalization and reviews services to ensure proper matching of services to needs and to improve the quality of and access to services.

Family Care Community Partnerships FCCP

The Department recognizes that all families struggle from time to time and need supports they can turn to when they need assistance. These supports range from basic needs to bridging family rifts with the over-arching goal to increase the overall well-being of families. 
Our FCCP agencies, part of DCYF's network of prevention-focused providers, brings community-based services to children and families to build a stronger, brighter futures. 

Juvenile Corrective Services Information

The Division of Juvenile Corrections consists of the Rhode Island Training School and the Office of Juvenile Probation. The Division of Juvenile Corrections promotes the rehabilitation of youth through a continuum of flexible, innovative, and effective programs for male and female youth. The Division of Juvenile Corrections strives to promote positive outcomes for youth and to reduce recidivism for youth within the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Licensing Information

The Department of Children, Youth and Families is charged, under RI General Law §42-72.1, with the licensing, monitoring and enforcement of regulations in all foster homes, residential facilities, and for agencies who place children

Mission: Partner with families and communities to raise safe and healthy children and youth in a caring environment.