* The Department is advertising for promulgation the Residential Child Care Regulations for Licensure. Please refer to the Interested Parties Memo from Director Patricia Martinez for further information. You may click this link to see the proposed DCYF rule. This rule is also accessible through the Secretary of State's Rules and Regulations Search Interface http://www.sec.state.ri.us/ProposedRules/.

* The Department continues its efforts to fully develop and implement an integrated family and community system of care. The first phase of the system of care development was implemented to support family preservation and well-being by establishing the Family Care Community Partnerships (FCCP's) in January of 2009. In this concept paper, the Department outlines plans to implement Phase Two of the system of care for children and families under the care and supervision of DCYF.

Phase Two will transform the DCYF child welfare, juvenile corrections and children's behavioral health system to one that primarily relies on an expanded continuum of home and community-based services and supports, to better meet the needs of children and their families in the least restrictive setting and ensure community safety.

* The Department of Children, Youth & Families cordially invites you to attend the dedication of the Roosevelt Benton Center on Thursday, October 29 @ 1:00. Please click here to view the invitation and RSVP information.

* DCYF Policies Effective November 16, 2009.   Please refer to the Interested Parties Memo from Director Patricia Martinez for further information. You may click this link to see the complete list of new and amended DCYF rules. These rules are also accessible through the Secretary of State's Rules and Regulations Search Interface, www.rules.state.ri.us/rules/.

* The Department of Children, Youth and Families is establishing a Consolidated Youth Services using a combination of funds available through the federal Chafee Foster Care Independence Program and state general revenues designated for aftercare services for youth in out of home care who are aging out. A Request for Proposals (#7323183) has been posted on the Department of Administration purchasing website at www.purchasing.ri.gov/RIVIP. The Department is seeking proposals from qualified community-based agencies to provide services in accordance with the terms of this solicitation and the state's General Conditions of Purchase. The State intends to provide one award to one Lead Agency to manage the Consolidated Youth Services (CYS) Program. The CYS Program is designed to ensure that older youth in the care and custody of the Department are provided the tools, resources and opportunities which will increase the likelihood that they will successfully transition from DCYF care. A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for October 14, 2009 at 2pm at the Department of Administration.

* Family Care Community Partnership (FCCP) Practice Standards - These Standards provide guidance to assist the FCCP's in implementing an integrated system of care that is youth guided, family driven, culturally and linguistically competent and community based for families with children and youth who are at risk for abuse and neglect, who have serious emotional disturbance (SED) and/or who are returning to the community after completing a sentence to the Rhode Island Training School (RITS), including youth leaving the RITS and youth leaving temporary community placement (TCP). You can view the Director's informational letter, which informs the community that the rule is effective June 1, 2009 and provides responses to public comments.

* The DCYF Biennial Report for Fiscal Years 2006 & 2007 is now available.

* The Department of Children, Youth and Families and the Family and Children's Trust Fund Advisory Committee has posted a Request for Proposals to establish and/or expand community based primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention projects. Click this link to obtain the application.

* DCYF Policy 700.0240, Services to Youth Ages 18 - 21 is effective February 25, 2008. You can view the Director's informational letter informing the community that the policy is effective and responding to public comments.  Also accessible is an informational pamphlet for youth, Frequently Asked Questions II - Services Available to Youth Leaving DCYF Care Between the Ages of 18 and 21, and DCYF Form #016, Formal Request for Hearing (view in Spanish) that is used to request an administrative appeal.

* The amended DCYF Family Child Care Home Regulations for Licensure and Group Family Child Care Home Regulations for Licensure are effective October 1, 2007. See the Director's distribution letter in English and Spanish. Click on the link to view the regulations for Family Child Care Home Certification ( view in spanish ) and Group Family Child Care Home ( view in spanish).

The rules are also accessible through the Secretary of State Rules and Regulations Search Interface or available in hard copy upon request (401 528-3621).

* Effective Monday, April 23, 2007 the Department of Children, Youth and Families is implementing the Family Centered Risk and Protective Capacity Assessment across all divisions. This validated tool will replace the existing Family Assessment and Reassessment documents. Click on the links to read an overview of the changes and to review a sample of the Risk and Protective Capacity Assessment.

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