PROVIDENCE, RI - In the lead-up to his 2025 State of the State Address, Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) highlighted the department’s accomplishments in 2024, including setting the groundwork for a philosophical shift for the state’s system of care, which prioritizes prevention, accountability, collaboration, and engagement (P.A.C.E.) 

“Supporting the well-being of children and families in Rhode Island remains an area of focus for our administration,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Director Deckert and the team at DCYF have envisioned a child well-being system that emphasizes family-centered services and supports and invests in keeping families together and connected to their community. I’m encouraged by the work this agency is doing to improve the safety and well-being of families across the state and look forward to supporting their efforts in the new year.”

“As I reflect on 2024, I would like to express my gratitude for DCYF staff whose dedication, hard work, and commitment to children and families are apparent in how they show up every day,” shared DCYF Director Ashley Deckert. “This year, we have achieved some exceptional accomplishments and faced challenges as we work to continuously improve the system of care in Rhode Island. The road ahead offers our greatest opportunity—to reimagine the state’s child well-being system with a new approach that prioritizes prevention, inclusivity, and positive outcomes for the children and families we serve.” 

DCYF accomplishments in 2024 include:

Continued Decline in Number of Children Removed from Home 

DCYF continues to demonstrate reductions in the number of children and youth removed from their homes. The Department reports a 12.1% reduction in the number of removals from FY 2022 to FY 2023, contributing to an overall decline of 26.7% since FY 2019 (as reported in Permanency Report: Entry Cohort of Children in Foster Care FFY21-FFY23 [zk8ngbyab.cc.rs6.net]). DCYF will continue to focus on further reducing removals in 2025 and beyond by prioritizing preventative services for children and families.

Expanded Service Array Improves Access for Children and Families  

In 2024, DCYF completed the re-procurement process for its service array, increasing available programs by 82% to a total of 62 programs under contract. DCYF’s service array includes statewide, community-based programs, and resources open to children and families with system involvement and as preventative supports for children and families working in the community to stay connected and empowered to reach their full potential. DCYF’s expanded service array supplements the Administration’s ongoing efforts to serve children and families throughout the state.

Director’s Listening & Learning Tour Focuses DCYF Priorities for 2025 and Beyond

Director Deckert concluded her Listening & Learning Tour among communities working within and supported by the state’s child well-being system. Director Deckert hosted 78 tour “stops” over nine months, meeting with community partners and providers, the Rhode Island Family Court, school districts and childcare providers, parents and legal guardians, current and former foster youth, traditional and kinship resource caregivers, DCYF staff, and state government partners. Director Deckert received feedback from more than 600 individuals on the strengths and challenges within the current system and the desire to improve the system and outcomes for children and families. Key findings from the Listening & Learning Tour directly contributed to the goals and objectives within DCYF’s five-year strategic plan. 

Launch of Child Well-being Advisory Committee Improves Collaboration and Engagement

In July 2024, DCYF launched the Child Well-being Advisory Committee (CWAC), a direct result of the Listening & Learning Tour to further the objective of elevating youth and family voice. At its inaugural meeting, more than 100 participants including parents and legal guardians, current and former foster youth, resource caregivers and leaders from private community organizations convened to discuss the most pressing areas of opportunity for improving Rhode Island’s system of care. In the coming year, subcommittees will address targeted areas of opportunity including Continuum of Care, Racial Justice, Youth Transitions, and Workforce with the goal of collecting data, informing policy, and improving service delivery across DCYF. 

RITS Secures Partnership with Mystic Aquarium

The education department at RITS secured a first-ever partnership with Mystic Aquarium for the full school year, expanding access to youth for hands-on, creative learning experiences beyond the classroom and through science kits and experimentation. Building on this partnership, over 40 youths successfully participated in Mystic Aquarium’s STEM Mentoring summer program where they learned about climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity, and water conservation.

The Department of Children, Youth & Families reaffirms its commitment to demonstrating excellence in service delivery to build a system of care where every child grows up in a safe and loving family environment, and that supports the development of strong, resilient families throughout the state of Rhode Island. 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 [zk8ngbyab.cc.rs6.net].