Foster Care & Adoption

Becoming a Resource (Foster/Adoptive) Family

Be An Anchor: Become a Resource (Foster or Adoptive) Family for a Rhode Island Child or Youth

Be An Anchor is Rhode Island’s statewide campaign to recruit and retain resource caregivers and families to support children and youth who cannot safely live with their family or legal guardians.

Resource caregivers and families are DCYF’s primary support for children and youth allowing them to stay in alternative family settings (often referred to as foster care). These families and caregivers “anchor” our youth giving them a place where they can be safe, heal, and thrive—sometimes temporarily or sometimes permanently. 

Resource families may be relative caregivers (sometimes called “kinship caregivers”) who have a prior relationship with the child or youth in their care. Sometimes children and youth are placed with adults in Rhode Island who get a license to serve as resource caregivers.

The goal of foster care is to safely reunite children with their birth families or legal guardians whenever possible. When reunification is not possible, DCYF works with its partner agencies to match a child with an adoptive family. Many children who are adopted from foster care find their “forever families” in the homes of their resource caregivers.

Learn more about our Community Partners.

Ready to get started? Apply to Be Anchor

Have a Question? Contact us!