Official State of Rhode Island website

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State of Rhode Island, Department of Children, Youth & Families ,

Council on Accreditation

DCYF achieved national COA Accreditation on February 14, 2025.

COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current, is an objective, independent and reliable validation of our performance. The process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration and management, service delivery functions and child and family services practices against international standards of best practice. The standards behind accreditation ensure services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based and outcomes-oriented. They ensure services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce. 

COA Accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized thresholds for service and administration, and increases organizational capacity and accountability through ongoing quality improvement. 

More than 2,000 organizations—voluntary, public and proprietary; local and statewide; large and small — have either successfully achieved or are in the process of achieving accreditation. At the time of accreditation, Rhode Island was the only state in New England, and just one of six in the country, to achieve this standard of excellence.

DCYF Accreditation Reports