Governor McKee Highlights 2023 Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families Accomplishments

PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) released the 2023 Year-in-Review highlighting the extensive work of DCYF and its partners on behalf of the children, youth, and families in Rhode Island.

"Supporting Rhode Island children, youth and families starts with the men and women at DCYF and their tireless efforts to provide the best possible support and programs to them," said Governor Dan McKee. "I'm proud of the DCYF team under the new leadership of Director Deckert and I'm encouraged by the direction this agency is heading in as we approach a new year."

“These past few months serving as the Director of this amazing agency have been inspiring to me. I’ve been able to see firsthand the dedication, hard work, and unwavering effort DCYF staff put into their work every day,” said DCYF Director Ashley Deckert. “I am proud of what DCYF has accomplished this year, and as we look into 2024, we will continue to focus on our wins, as well as our challenges, to chart a path forward where we continue to make positive impacts in the lives of the children, youth, and families we serve.”

Launched a Listening & Learning Tour with new DCYF Director Ashley Deckert

This series of structured deep engagement with department staff, the community, and children and families will provide opportunities for any community partner that touches Rhode Island’s child welfare system to engage in meaningful discussions about our challenges, strengths, outcomes, mission, and goals. Youth and family voice will be at the forefront of these engagements and will be the driver for the Departments Strategic planning and ongoing commitment to authentic engagement.

Began a One-Year Pilot to Strengthen the Department’s Civil Service Exams and Hiring Process

On June 21, 2023, the General Assembly signed into law a one-year pilot process for the DCYF with the intent of expediting the hiring process for Social Caseworker II and Child Protective Investigator positions at the Department. The Department has completed the protocol and has already begun onboarding new staff.

Re-procuring DCYF’s Service Array

The Department has begun a new round of procurements for their entire service array – which was last completed in 2016. Through new contracts with providers, DCYF will update its comprehensive service array to best meets the evolving needs of the families it serves.

Educational Achievements of Youth at the Rhode Island Training School

During the 2022-2023 school year, the education department facilitated the graduation of 10 youth – five earning their high school diploma through their respective LEAs (local education authorities), and five earning their GED.

Youth in Voluntary Extension of Care (VEC) Program Participate in CNA Pilot Program

Four VEC youth enrolled and completed a certified nursing assistants (CNAs) program through a partnership pilot program with the RIVETS, DCYF and CCRI. Additional cohorts will be enrolled in 2024.

Strengthening Rhode Island's Behavioral Health System of Care for Children

As of the beginning of November 2023, 464 children and youth experiencing a crisis were served by the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), and, very positively, 92% of these youth in crisis were stabilized in the community, and the need for psychiatric hospitalization was avoided, providing strong evidence of the efficacy and need for this service.

Advancement of Equity at DCYF

The Race Equity Advisory Committee in collaboration with all Department Divisions continues working to examine, identify, and advise on racial and ethnic disproportionalities that may exist; monitoring and reporting on Department progress; and suggest sustainable solutions toward achieving race, equity, and diversity goals. The work being done by DCYF is serving as a model for other State agencies, as well as regionally and nationally. Additionally, the Department is partnering with the RI Coalition for Children and Families (RICCF) to coordinate efforts and resources for anti-racism and race equity efforts. The goal is to collaborate and foster a coordinated approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

The mission of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families is to partner with families and communities to raise safe and healthy children and youth in a caring environment and to engage respectfully and effectively with people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, classes, genders, sexual orientations, and faiths in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of all individuals, families, tribes, and communities, and protects and preserves the dignity of each. DCYF supports nearly 2,500 children and their families each year – in the community and in DCYF care – and thousands more indirectly through its community-based programs. For more information, please visit www.dcyf.ri.gov. [r20.rs6.net]