reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-29. - Appropriation for expenses.

§ 42-72-29. Appropriation for expenses.
The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sum or sums as it may deem necessary for the expenses of the department of children, youth, and families in the conduct of its activities and in the implementation of the powers, duties, programs and authorizations embodied in this chapter; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of a sum or sums or so much as may from time to time be required upon receipt by the controller of proper vouchers duly authenticated.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 248, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-29.1. - Annual increases for children’s residential programs.

§ 42-72-29.1. Annual increases for children’s residential programs.
(a)
There is a five percent (5%) annual funding increase to provide quality residential programming and treatment for children in out-of-home care to all department of children, youth, and families contracted residential providers which will be effective for fiscal years 2001 and 2002. These annualized increases shall be utilized for direct care staff for the purpose of achieving skill development and improving staff retention rates through measures including pay increases.
(b)
These annualized increases shall not prohibit contracted residential providers from seeking, from the department, increases for other costs as may be required, either individually or collectively, in the future due to clinical, environmental, economic or other factors.
(c)
These annualized increases do not apply to nonresidential programs nor to those programs that do not contract with the state. The department shall report to the general assembly and the chairpersons of the house and senate finance committees not later than April 30, 2001, and April 30, 2002, as to the methods whereby the increased funding was allocated to residential service providers and the extent to which the funding has contributed to positive outcomes for children. In the 2002 report, the department shall have in place and shall describe a performance measure system which shall include incentives to residential programs for positive outcomes.
History of Section.
P.L. 2000, ch. 341, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 486, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-30. - Family and children trust program.

§ 42-72-30. Family and children trust program.
(a)
There is created the family and children trust program. The director may apply for, receive and accept grants, gifts, and bequests from any source, governmental or private, with the approval of the director of administration. Upon receipt of any remittance the director shall transmit the entire amount to the general treasurer, who shall deposit it as general revenues. The general assembly may appropriate funds for the family and children trust program.
(b)
The family and children trust program monies fund with the accumulated interest shall be used for the following purposes: (1) matching federal funds to purchase services relating to community-based programs for the prevention of problems of families and children; (2) providing start-up or expansion grants for community-based prevention projects or educational programs for the problems of families and children, primarily, but not limited to, child abuse and neglect and family abuse; and (3) studying and evaluating community-based prevention projects and educational programs for the problems of families and children; provided that grantees of funds shall be required to match those funds in cash, or services in kind, the value of which shall be determined by the director. For the purpose of this subsection, “educational programs” shall include instructional and demonstration programs whose main purpose is to disseminate information and techniques or to provide services for the prevention of problems of families and children.
(c)
The state advisory council for children and their families or its successor, shall advise the director in detail on the expenditure of funds from the family and children trust fund, and shall:
(1)
Develop a biennial plan for distribution of funds;
(2)
Develop criteria for awarding funds;
(3)
Review proposals for the funds and present recommendations to the director;
(4)
Monitor the expenditure of funds and review the annual report on the use thereof as presented by the director; and
(5)
Promote the general development of public and private sector child abuse prevention programs and activities.
(d)
The state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payments of any expenditures out of the unexpended balance of the fund as may be ordered by the director upon proper vouchers presented to the controller by the director.
History of Section.
P.L. 1983, ch. 220, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 301, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 583, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 142; P.L. 2006, ch. 216, § 45.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-31. - Judge Angelo G. Rossi Memorial Building.

§ 42-72-31. Judge Angelo G. Rossi Memorial Building.
That building located at the Rhode Island Training School which houses the Training School’s educational program shall hereafter be named and known as the Judge Angelo G. Rossi Memorial Building.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 128, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 388, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-32. - Transfer of powers and functions from department of children, youth, and families.

§ 42-72-32. Transfer of powers and functions from department of children, youth, and families.
There are transferred to the department of administration:
(1)
Those functions of the department of children, youth, and families which were administered through or with respect to departmental programs in the performance of strategic planning as defined in § 42-11-10(c);
(2)
All officers, employees, agencies, advisory councils, committees, commissions and task forces of the department of children, youth, and families who were performing strategic planning functions as defined in § 42-11-10(c); and
(3)
So much of other functions or parts of functions and employees and resources, physical and funded, related thereto of the director of the department of children, youth, and families as are incidental to and necessary for the performance of the functions transferred by subdivisions (1) and (2) of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 181, art. 29, § 13.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-33. - Youth diversion program.

§ 42-72-33. Youth diversion program.
(a)
There is created in the department of children, youth, and families, the youth diversion program, a community-based program providing outreach and advocacy services to youth between the ages of nine (9) and seventeen (17), who may be the subject of a family court petition or at risk for committing wayward or disobedient acts including truancy, running away, and violation of school rules. Referrals to the youth diversionary program shall be served for a maximum of ninety (90) days and include, but are not limited to, the following services:
(1)
An assessment of the needs of the child and family;
(2)
Development of a plan and provision of services to include educational and vocational support services and employment linkages;
(3)
Counseling;
(4)
Family mediation;
(5)
Crisis intervention;
(6)
Advocacy on the child’s behalf with schools, police, employment resources and other community agencies;
(7)
Short-term respite limited to three (3) days during crisis periods; and
(8)
Follow-up and after-care services as needed.
(b)
In considering competitive proposals to establish local programs, the department will give priority to agencies that:
(1)
Are part of a municipal government or nonprofit, local-based agencies;
(2)
Have established a local advisory board representative of local government, police, schools, and youth-serving agencies;
(3)
Locate in communities that have a juvenile-arrest rate that exceeds the most recently available statewide average juvenile-arrest rate;
(4)
Collaborate with surrounding communities where the juvenile population may be too small to require a full-time program; and
(5)
Coordinate with other youth-serving agencies and programs in the local community.
(c)
Prior to a hearing on a petition alleging a first offense wayward or disobedient act as defined above, the family court shall ensure that a referral has been made to the appropriate local youth diversion program. A report by that program shall be submitted to the court at least one week prior to the adjudication hearing. The report shall identify the problems in the family, services provided, progress, and outcomes of the services, and recommendations for future intervention. The report shall become a part of the record and be used by the family court in disposing of the petition.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 336, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-34. - Withholding services.

§ 42-72-34. Withholding services.
(a)
It is the policy of the department not to require a parent to surrender physical possession or custody of his or her minor child or children based solely upon the department’s provisions of services to the family. A surrender shall be determined by the family court or as otherwise provided by law.
(b)
In all cases the best interest of the minor child or children shall be paramount.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 260, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-35. - Change of title and name.

§ 42-72-35. Change of title and name.
The title of this chapter is amended to read “department of children, youth, and families”. Wherever in the general laws the words “department for children and their families” appear, they shall be amended to read “department of children, youth, and families”.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 342, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-36. - Residential placement capacity.

§ 42-72-36. Residential placement capacity.
Effective January 1, 2009, and for any day thereafter, the department’s approved capacity for out-of-home residential placements, excluding foster homes, shall not exceed the total of one thousand (1,000) out-of-home residential placements. The department is authorized to reinvest any savings that result from reductions in out-of-home residential placements, into developing additional community-based services for children and their families.
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 24, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-36.1. - System reform and rebalancing goal.

§ 42-72-36.1. System reform and rebalancing goal.
On or before October 1, 2016, the department of children, youth and families shall begin to implement a strategy to transition from reliance on congregate-care placements to greater use of foster homes with community-based services for children and families. Said strategy shall ensure quality outcomes, performance measures, and incentives that promote service excellence and improve the system’s overall stability by reinvesting the benefits that accrue from the more efficient and effective utilization of congregate care, foster homes, and community-based services. Attaining systemwide reform of the magnitude set forth herein shall require rebalancing the system by making significant changes in the organization, financing, and delivery of services that must be implemented incrementally.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 413, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 414, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-36.2. - Recommendations as to allocation of resources.

§ 42-72-36.2. Recommendations as to allocation of resources.
On or before October 1, 2016, the department of children, youth and families shall recommend the allocation of existing resources as needed to ensure that those children in need of residential care, including foster homes and support services, receive them in the least-restrictive setting appropriate to their needs. The department is hereby authorized to utilize screening criteria to avoid unnecessary, congregate-care placements of children.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 413, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 414, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-36.3. - Reporting.

§ 42-72-36.3. Reporting.
Annual reports showing progress in residential-care system reform and rebalancing shall be submitted by April 1, 2017, and annually thereafter on or before April 1 of each year by the department to the finance committees of both the senate and the house of representatives and shall include:
(1)
The number of congregate-care placements and associated funds;
(2)
The number of foster-care placements and associated funds;
(3)
The percentage of screenings completed within thirty (30) days of placement;
(4)
Recommendations to promote the expansion of foster homes and community-based service capacity, including payment methodology reforms, that increase access to foster homes and community-based services; and
(5)
Recommendations for options to pay for certain services and supports necessary to transition or divert children from restrictive settings and optimize their health and safety when receiving care in a home or the community.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 413, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 414, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families › Section 42-72-36.4. - Foundation grants.

§ 42-72-36.4. Foundation grants.
All grant funds from nonprofit charitable organizations accepted by the department of children, youth and families with formally established agreements with an approved budget for their use shall be deposited as restricted receipts.
History of Section.
P.L. 2017, ch. 302, art. 7, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.1 - Licensing and Monitoring of Child Placing Agencies, Child Caring Agencies, Foster and Adoptive Homes, and Children’s Behavioral Health Programs › Section 42-72.1-1. - Statement of purpose.

§ 42-72.1-1. Statement of purpose.
(a)
The director of the department of children, youth and families, pursuant to §§ 42-72-5(b)(7) and 42-72-5(b)(24), shall establish within the department a unit to license and monitor child-placing agencies, child caring agencies, foster and adoptive homes, and children’s behavioral health programs to protect the health, safety and well being of children temporarily separated from or being cared for away from their natural families.
(b)
Services for children requiring licensure under this chapter shall include all child placing agencies, child caring agencies, foster and adoptive homes, and children’s behavioral health programs which offer services within the state, except as defined in § 42-72.1-5.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 254, § 5; P.L. 1986, ch. 274, § 5; P.L. 1988, ch. 560, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 376, art. 17, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.1 - Licensing and Monitoring of Child Placing Agencies, Child Caring Agencies, Foster and Adoptive Homes, and Children’s Behavioral Health Programs › Section 42-72.1-2. - Definitions.

§ 42-72.1-2. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
“Administrator of licensing” means the director of the licensing unit (or his/her designee) that carries out the provisions of this chapter, hereafter referred to as the “administrator.”
(2)
“Applicant” means a child-placing agency, child caring agency, foster and adoptive home, and children’s behavioral health program that apply for a license to operate.
(3)
“Child” means any person less than eighteen (18) years of age; provided, that a child over eighteen (18) years of age who is nevertheless subject to continuing jurisdiction of the family court, pursuant to chapter 1 of title 14, or defined as emotionally disturbed according to chapter 7 of title 40.1, shall be considered a child for the purposes of this chapter.
(4)
[Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21].
(5)
[Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21].
(6)
[Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21].
(7)
“Child caring agency” means any facility that provides residential treatment, residential group homecare or semi-independent living, or residential assessment and stabilization.
(8)
“Child-placing agency” means any private or public agency that receives children for placement into independent living arrangements, supervised apartment living, residential group care facilities, family foster homes, or adoptive homes.
(9)
“Children’s behavioral health program” means any private or public agency that provides behavioral health services to children.
(10)
[Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21].
(11)
[Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21].
(12)
“Department” means the department of children, youth and families (DCYF).
(13)
“Director” means the director of the department of children, youth and families, or the director’s designee.
(14)
“Foster and adoptive homes” means one or more adults who are licensed to provide foster or adoptive caregiving in a family-based home setting.
(15)
“Licensee” means any person, firm, corporation, association, or agency, which holds a valid license under this chapter.
(16)
“Regulation” means any requirement for licensure, promulgated pursuant to this chapter having the force of law.
(17)
“Related” means any of the following relationships, by marriage, blood, or adoption, even following the death or divorce of a natural parent: parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, and first cousin. In a prosecution under this chapter or of any law relating thereto, a defendant who relies for a defense upon the relationship of any child to him or herself, the defendant shall have the burden of proof as to the relationship.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 254, § 5; P.L. 1986, ch. 274, § 5; P.L. 1987, ch. 458, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 560, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 47, art. 15, § 5; P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.1 - Licensing and Monitoring of Child Placing Agencies, Child Caring Agencies, Foster and Adoptive Homes, and Children’s Behavioral Health Programs › Section 42-72.1-6. - Violations, suspensions and revocations of license.

§ 42-72.1-6. Violations, suspensions and revocations of license.
(a)
When a licensee violates the terms of the license, the provisions of this chapter, or any regulation thereunder, the department may pursue the administrative remedies herein provided, including the assessment of administrative penalties under the provisions of chapter 72.11 of this title relating to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, and group family childcare homes, in addition to other civil or criminal remedies according to the general laws.
(b)
After notice and hearing, as provided by the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of this title, the administrator may revoke the license, or suspend the license for a period not exceeding six (6) months.
(c)
During a suspension, the agency, facility or program shall cease operation.
(d)
To end a suspension, the licensee shall, within thirty (30) days of the notice of suspension, submit a plan of corrective action to the administrator. The plan shall outline the steps and timetables for immediate correction of the areas of noncompliance and is subject to the approval of the administrator.
(e)
At the end of the suspension, the administrator may reinstate the license for the term of the original license, revoke the license, issue a new license, or deny a reapplication.
(f)
Upon revocation, the licensed agency, program or facility shall cease operation. The licensee whose license has been revoked may not apply for a similar license within a three-year (3) period from the date of revocation.
(g)
[Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21].
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 254, § 5; P.L. 1986, ch. 274, § 5; P.L. 2018, ch. 47, art. 15, § 5; P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.1 - Licensing and Monitoring of Child Placing Agencies, Child Caring Agencies, Foster and Adoptive Homes, and Children’s Behavioral Health Programs › Section 42-72.1-7. - Penalties for violations.

§ 42-72.1-7. Penalties for violations.
(a)
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or any regulations issued pursuant to this chapter, or who shall intentionally make any false statement or reports to the director with reference to the matters contained herein, shall, upon conviction for the first offense, be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six (6) months or be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500), or both, and for a second or subsequent offense, shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year or be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both the fine and imprisonment.
(b)
Anyone who maintains or conducts a program, agency, or facility without first having obtained a license, or who maintains or conducts a program, agency, or facility after a license has been revoked or suspended, or who shall refuse to permit a reasonable inspection and examination of a program, agency, or facility, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each week that the program, agency, or facility shall have been maintained without a license or for each refusal to permit inspection and examination by the director.
(c)
[Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21].
(d)
The department shall refer any violations to the attorney general’s office for prosecution.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 254, § 5; P.L. 1986, ch. 274, § 5; P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.1 - Licensing and Monitoring of Child Placing Agencies, Child Caring Agencies, Foster and Adoptive Homes, and Children’s Behavioral Health Programs › Section 42-72.1-8. - [Repealed.]

§ 42-72.1-8. [Repealed.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 399, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 22, effective July 5, 2019.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.2 - Family Support Program › Section 42-72.2-2. - Legislative intent — Program objectives.

§ 42-72.2-2. Legislative intent — Program objectives.
The family support program shall:
(1)
Provide information and support to all parents with infants and toddlers that promotes the growth, health, and well being of children and the strength and integrity of the family;
(2)
Provide families with a systematic, ongoing process that facilitates identification of unmet health, educational, and/or social service needs;
(3)
Provide families with information regarding service options, which are consistent with expressed needs, and provide assistance and support, which enables families to successfully and independently access those services;
(4)
Develop a process which facilitates the prompt and effective connection between child and family needs and existing community based services;
(5)
Coordinate the array of service options that are fully integrated into existing health and educational programs statewide, to minimize duplication, fragmentation, and cost;
(6)
Develop a system that facilitates follow up of children and families, monitors the effectiveness of services provided, and specifically identifies gaps in existing services and the prevalence of such voids statewide;
(7)
Develop a process that integrates the “child find” requirements and expectations of 20 U.S.C. § 1471 et seq., to eliminate the need for a segregated identification system for special needs children and their families; and
(8)
Develop a process which effectively coordinates all existing child and family programs, specifically identifying the role and responsibility of each state human service agency in the delivery and administration of the family support program.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 213, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.2 - Family Support Program › Section 42-72.2-3. - Family support program — Administration.

§ 42-72.2-3. Family support program — Administration.
The department of health, through the division of family health, shall serve as the principal agency responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the family support program.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 213, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.2 - Family Support Program › Section 42-72.2-4. - Cooperation of other state agencies with the family support program.

§ 42-72.2-4. Cooperation of other state agencies with the family support program.
(a)
The department of health shall develop agreements with the department of children, youth, and families, the department of elementary and secondary education, the department of human services, and the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals to delineate the role and function of each department. In order to carry out the provisions of this chapter, each of the foregoing departments shall assign a staff person who will assume responsibility for implementation of the program and each department shall provide statistical and analytical data needed to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(b)
Each of the foregoing departments shall enter into an agreement with the family support program and shall join with the program in a cooperative effort to carry out the provisions of § 42-72.2-2.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 213, § 4; P.L. 2006, ch. 216, § 46.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.2 - Family Support Program › Section 42-72.2-5. - Program director — Duties.

§ 42-72.2-5. Program director — Duties.
The family support program shall be within the division of family health, department of health, and shall be administered by a full-time director who shall be responsible for program administration, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 213, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.2 - Family Support Program › Section 42-72.2-6. - Data maintenance.

§ 42-72.2-6. Data maintenance.
The department of health shall assume full responsibility for the collection, entry, storage, analysis, and file protection of all Level I and II needs determination information. Access to this data and preserving its confidentiality shall be subject to all existing and applicable state and federal statutes, as well as those regulations and guidelines developed by the human subjects committee within the department of health.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 213, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.3 - Project Early Start › Section 42-72.3-2. - Legislative declaration.

§ 42-72.3-2. Legislative declaration.
The general assembly finds and declares that:
(1)
In 1986 twenty-one (21) Rhode Island children were born to mothers under the age of fifteen (15), fifty-nine (59) children to mothers age fifteen (15), one hundred eighteen (118) children to mothers age sixteen (16), and two hundred seventy (270) children to mothers age seventeen (17); and
(2)
Each year in Rhode Island, one in four (4) infants, or over three thousand (3,000), are born into poverty; and
(3)
An insightful 1986 report, “Investing in our children” by the committee for economic development, has concluded:
“The seeds of educational failure are planted early. Children who are born into poverty or overly stressful circumstances often suffer from a wide variety of physical and emotional problems that can delay normal social and intellectual development or impair their ability to function effectively.
The patterns of behavior that lead to school failure and dropping out begin to appear during infancy and the toddler years. Without early intervention, these children will have difficulty taking advantage of the learning opportunities available in elementary and secondary school. It is therefore likely that many otherwise bright children will have their talents lost to themselves and society”; and
(4)
Most recent Rhode Island initiatives have been targeted at the pre-school and school-age population, and have not addressed the pressing needs of at-risk infants and toddlers and their families; and
(5)
Rhode Island must provide the earliest possible intervention with at-risk children for reasons both of compassion and cost-effectiveness.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 309, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.3 - Project Early Start › Section 42-72.3-3. - Creation of program — Scope of activities.

§ 42-72.3-3. Creation of program — Scope of activities.
There is established under the director of the department of children, youth, and families “project early start”, a community based program, to provide both home-based and center-based activities, to address this need for early intervention. The services to be provided shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1)
Resource mobilization to ensure adequate food, shelter, and clothing;
(2)
Appropriate family health care and supervision;
(3)
Parenting education for both mothers and fathers;
(4)
Nutritional guidance;
(5)
Developmentally appropriate infant and toddler curriculum;
(6)
Home management skill-building opportunities;
(7)
Crisis intervention and emergency assistance;
(8)
Parent participation in program decisions; and
(9)
Appropriate support services including transportation, childcare, and a staff reflective of the racial and ethnic population of the children.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 309, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.3 - Project Early Start › Section 42-72.3-4. - Administration of program.

§ 42-72.3-4. Administration of program.
This program shall be administered by, and shall be under the control and direction of, the state department of children, youth, and families.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 309, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.5 - Children’s Cabinet › Section 42-72.5-1. - Establishment.

§ 42-72.5-1. Establishment.
There is established within the executive branch of state government a children’s cabinet. The cabinet shall include, but not be limited to: the director of the department of administration; the secretary of the executive office of health and human services; the director of the department of children, youth and families; the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals; the director of the department of health; the commissioner of postsecondary education; the commissioner of elementary and secondary education; the director of the department of human services; the director of the department of labor and training; the child advocate; and the governor or his or her designee. The governor shall designate one of the members of the cabinet to be chairperson.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 339, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 238, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 238, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 219, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 118, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 314, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 23, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 117, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 5, § 21.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.5 - Children’s Cabinet › Section 42-72.5-2. - Policy and goals.

§ 42-72.5-2. Policy and goals.
The children’s cabinet shall:
(1)
Meet at least monthly to address all issues, especially those that cross departmental lines, and relate to children’s needs and services;
(2)
Review, amend, and propose all interagency agreements necessary to provide coordinated services to children;
(3)
Produce an annual comprehensive children’s budget, to be submitted with other budget documents to the general assembly;
(4)
Produce, by December 1, 2015, a comprehensive, five (5) year statewide plan and proposed budget for an integrated state child service system. This plan shall be submitted to the governor; the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate, and updated annually thereafter;
(5)
[Deleted by P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 5, § 21].
(6)
Develop a strategic plan to coordinate and share data to foster interagency communication, increase efficiency of service delivery, and simultaneously protect children’s legitimate expectations of privacy and rights to confidentiality. This shall include data-sharing with research partners, pursuant to data-sharing agreements, that maintains data integrity and protects the security and confidentiality of these records. Any such data-sharing agreements shall comply with all privacy and security requirements of federal and state law and regulation governing the use of such data. Any universal student identifier now in use by the state or developed in the future shall not involve a student’s social security number.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 339, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 150, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 5, § 21.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.5 - Children’s Cabinet › Section 42-72.5-3. - Cooperation required.

§ 42-72.5-3. Cooperation required.
The executive office of health and human services shall provide staff support to the children’s cabinet in preparing the integrated state child service system plan as required by this chapter. All departments represented on the children’s cabinet shall cooperate with the executive office of health and human services to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 339, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 5, § 21.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.6 - The Rhode Island Training School for Youth Comprehensive Educational Programming Act › Section 42-72.6-1. - Legislative findings.

§ 42-72.6-1. Legislative findings.
The Rhode Island training school for youth (RITSY) is charged with the responsibility for the custody and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders, and a permanent legislative oversight commission has found, and continues to find, grave shortcomings in the rehabilitative and educational programming at the RITSY. The general assembly finds that the failure to rehabilitate and educate these youths will cause immeasurable pain and cost to the state through preventable injury to other citizens by former, un-rehabilitated RITSY residents and through the substantial cost of maintaining former RITSY youth in the adult correctional institutions, and/or the state mental health and/or income maintenance systems. The general assembly has provided resources to the department for children, youth, and families (DCYF) in excess of ninety-five thousand dollars ($95,000) per year per incarcerated youth, and the Rhode Island training school for youth has lost accreditation for its present educational system. The department for children, youth and families is currently in violation of the law passed by this general assembly to maintain an appropriate educational system for every youth incarcerated at the RITSY, and the failure to provide an adequate system of rehabilitative and educational programming is the consequence of the ineffective use of vital and limited public resources.
History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 269, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.6 - The Rhode Island Training School for Youth Comprehensive Educational Programming Act › Section 42-72.6-2. - Duties of director.

§ 42-72.6-2. Duties of director.
The director of the department for children, youth, and families shall, with full and reasonable staff and community participation, prepare a detailed comprehensive educational plan for providing adequate and appropriate educational services to all residents, without exception, of RITSY, as provided by state law. This comprehensive plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following elements:
(1)
A mission statement, in strict conformance with state and federal law, which clearly delineates the goals and objectives of the RITSY educational program, and provides an effective guide for the employment of resources, and for expectations of the youth, parents, professional staff, the judiciary, and the citizens of the state of Rhode Island about their roles and responsibilities in the system;
(2)
A system of governance for the educational program, which delineates the chain of authority, provides adequate and appropriate decisional authority to the administrative, educational, custodial, social service and other professional staff, and which defines and coordinates their roles in the effective operation of the system;
(3)
A state of the art educational program which comprehends the profound and diverse needs of incarcerated youth and includes, but is not limited to, the following elements:
(i)
Programming for youth who have not graduated from secondary school including: academic, vocational, technical, computer, life and career skill development;
(ii)
Programming for students who have completed a secondary school program or who have obtained a general equivalency diploma (GED), including: college courses, vocational and technical courses, life and parenting skills, and job readiness;
(iii)
Programming as above for students with limited English proficiency or other special needs;
(iv)
Educational programming that provides special educational programming to residents in conformance with their needs, as well as state and federal law, but which does not limit the RITSY school curriculum to special educational services;
(v)
A “total programming” approach, which places the educational service component in the context of a youth centered rehabilitative program, which concentrates on the development of educational and social competence in residents;
(vi)
A plan for obtaining accreditation through an appropriate form or model for the educational program; and
(vii)
The creation of a forum which provides an inclusive, cooperative model for involving the other state departments, as appropriate, members of the state’s business community, religious community, voluntary services community, and social service community in advising and devising programming, in supporting and advocating for the residents as they attempt to build new and successful lives in the community.
History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 269, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.6 - The Rhode Island Training School for Youth Comprehensive Educational Programming Act › Section 42-72.6-3. - Implementation.

§ 42-72.6-3. Implementation.
The comprehensive plan shall be accompanied by a detailed implementation schedule which identifies the stages of implementation, barriers to successful and necessary reform, specific strategies to be employed to overcome these barriers, and financial information detailing how resources will be allocated to support systemic reform in the context of state and federal law and contractual obligations.
The preliminary plan shall be presented, without fail, to the general assembly through the instrumentality of the permanent legislative oversight commission on DCYF no later than September 30, 1993 with a final report to be submitted no later than January 15, 1994.
History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 269, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.7 - Coordination of Children’s Community Social Services, Education, and Mental Health Services — Pilot Program › Section 42-72.7-1. - Short title.

§ 42-72.7-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known as the “Coordination of Children’s Community Social Services, Education, and Mental Health Services — Pilot Program”.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 69, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 415, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.7 - Coordination of Children’s Community Social Services, Education, and Mental Health Services — Pilot Program › Section 42-72.7-2. - Program created.

§ 42-72.7-2. Program created.
There is established within the department of children, youth, and families a program to be known as “coordination of children’s community social services, education and mental health services — Pilot Program for Washington County and Pawtucket/Central Falls”.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 69, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 415, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.7 - Coordination of Children’s Community Social Services, Education, and Mental Health Services — Pilot Program › Section 42-72.7-6. - Pilot program — Coordinated, individualized, appropriate child and family driven system of care.

§ 42-72.7-6. Pilot program — Coordinated, individualized, appropriate child and family driven system of care.
The coordinated, individualized, appropriate child and family driven system of care which shall be established under the two (2) pilot program local coordinating councils shall embody the following principles:
(1)
Services are to be child and family driven, with priority given to keeping a child in a safe home. A child and his/her family or his/her primary caregiver shall be fully involved in all aspects of planning, decision making and delivery of services;
(2)
Services are to be community based and are to be provided in the least restrictive setting consistent with the unique needs and potential of each child and his/her family. This means that services must be designed to:
(i)
Enable children to remain in a safe home with their families whenever possible;
(ii)
Enable children placed in foster care or group care to remain in a foster or group care facility in their community, and when no such care is available in their community, to remain in care in as close proximity as possible to their usual residence;
(iii)
Enable children placed in residential programs other than foster or group care to receive that care in as close proximity as possible to their usual residence.
(3)
Services are to be comprehensive and coordinated, addressing the child’s physical, educational, social and emotional needs;
(4)
Services are to be culturally and ethnically competent and service effectiveness is to be assessed considering cultural and ethnic competence;
(5)
The effectiveness of planning and services for a child is to be assessed based upon the attainment of specific outcomes for each child;
(6)
The effectiveness of services provided to children as part of a coordinated, individualized, appropriate child and family driven system of care are to be assessed based upon aggregate performance outcomes for children and families served.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 69, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 415, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.7 - Coordination of Children’s Community Social Services, Education, and Mental Health Services — Pilot Program › Section 42-72.7-7. - Evaluation and assessment.

§ 42-72.7-7. Evaluation and assessment.
Three percent (3%) of all funds allocated for the pilot program of coordinated community social services, education, and mental health services for children and their families pursuant to this chapter shall be utilized by the local coordinating councils for evaluation and assessment of the effectiveness of services provided pursuant to this chapter. This evaluation and assessment shall be predicated upon the specific agreed upon performance outcomes for children and families who received services pursuant to this chapter. Any funds designated pursuant to this section for evaluation and assessment and not required to be used for those purposes shall be designated for providing additional training to the local coordinating councils and community planning teams. Evaluation and assessment shall include peer agency review of the nature and effectiveness of each agency’s participation in the service delivery model by the other agencies represented on the local coordinating council.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 69, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 415, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.7 - Coordination of Children’s Community Social Services, Education, and Mental Health Services — Pilot Program › Section 42-72.7-8. - Information sharing — Confidentiality.

§ 42-72.7-8. Information sharing — Confidentiality.
(a)
All public agencies, which have served a family or treated a child referred to a community planning team, shall cooperate with this team. If an agency refers a child and family to the team, that agency shall be responsible for obtaining the consent required to share agency client information with the team. After obtaining the proper consent, all agencies shall promptly deliver, upon request and without charge, such records of services, treatment or education of the child or family as are necessary for a full and informed assessment by the team. If a parent refers a child and family to the team, that parent shall be provided with the necessary consent forms required for agencies to share client information with the team.
(b)
Proceedings held to consider the appropriate provision of services for a particular child or family or both who have been referred to the community planning team shall be confidential and not open to the public, unless the child and family who are the subjects of the planning meeting request, in writing, that it be open. All information about specific children and families obtained by the team members in the discharge of their responsibilities to the team shall be confidential.
(c)
Demographic, service and cost information which is of a non-identifying nature relating to children and families receiving services through this chapter may be gathered for reporting, assessment and evaluation purposes.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 69, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 415, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.7 - Coordination of Children’s Community Social Services, Education, and Mental Health Services — Pilot Program › Section 42-72.7-9. - Receipt of services not contingent upon custody determination.

§ 42-72.7-9. Receipt of services not contingent upon custody determination.
Consistent with §§ 42-72-14, 14-1-11.1 and 40-11-12.1, the receipt of services or benefits under this chapter is not conditioned upon, nor does it require, the placement of a child in the legal custody of the department.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 69, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 415, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 42 - State Affairs and Government › Chapter 42-72.7 - Coordination of Children’s Community Social Services, Education, and Mental Health Services — Pilot Program › Section 42-72.7-10. - Regulations.

§ 42-72.7-10. Regulations.
The department of children, youth, and families shall promulgate regulations and interagency agreements necessary and sufficient to effectuate the principles and purposes of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 69, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 415, § 1.