Programs and Services

Child Protective Services (CPS) is the investigative division of the Department, and includes the Department’s hotline. This division ensures each child and youth is protected from harm through the timely investigation of reports of child abuse and neglect. CPS receives, screens and responds to reports of suspected child maltreatment.

Foster Care serves children and youth in Rhode Island who cannot safely live with their own families due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. In order for these children to thrive, they need to be with a safe, loving family—sometimes temporarily and sometimes permanently.

Licensing, under RI General Law §42-72.1,  this division oversees the licensing, monitoring, and enforcement of regulations in all foster homes, residential facilities, and for agencies who place children. 

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

Family Care Community Partnerships (FCCPs) are the Department of Children, Youth and Families’ primary prevention resource for the state. FCCPs partner with families and communities to raise healthy children in a safe, caring environment.

The Division of Family Services (DFS) of the Department become 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. 

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.