Foster Care & Kinship Resources
Rhode Island has 13,493 children living with their grandparents. Navigating the foster/welfare systems can at times seem daunting.
Below are links and resources to help in your journey.
*The below list is not all-inclusive and is intended as a guidepost.
Rhode Island Resources
Office of Child Support Services
Office of Child Support Services– The RI Child Support agency can provide services for grandparents such as establishing a child’s paternity, establishing a support obligation, monitoring and enforcing those obligations. More information is available on the agency website.
Adoption Rhode Island
Adoption Rhode Island– Provides pre- and post- adoption services to children and families, educate and advocate for a child’s right to a safe environment, and increase public awareness of the unmet needs of children and families impacted by foster care and adoption.
National Organizations
Children’s Bureau
The Children’s Bureau– The Children’s Bureau conducts the CFSRs, (Child and Family Services Reviews) which are periodic reviews of state child welfare systems. After a CFSR states develop a Program Improvement Plan (PIP) to address areas in their child welfare services that need improvement. Their website includes links to further literature and resources on how to navigate foster care on both state and national levels.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Gateway– Additional resources and literature related to child welfare on both a state and national level.
National Foster Parents Association
National Foster Parents Association– The mission of the NFPA is to be the respected national voice for foster, kinship, and adoptive families through networking, education, and advocacy.
Adoption
- Reunification– If you are a foster parent, you know the word ‘reunification’ comes up a lot. As it now stands, there is a federal law that mandates courts and child welfare agencies to work towards reunification with a biological parent upon children entering care. This site includes a few tips on understanding, surviving and supporting reunification.
Children, Youth, and Family Hotlines
- Children, Youth and Family Consortium – (401) 467-1395
- Children’s Rights- (212)683-2210
- Children Welfare League of America- (202)688-4200
- National Coalition for Childhood Protection Reform
- Intensive Family Preservation Services- (888)498-9047
Hotlines and Other Resources
- National Child Abuse Hotline -800.4.A.CHILD (800.422.4453)
- Child Sexual Abuse – 866.FOR.LIGHT (866.367.5444)
- Family Violence Hotline – 800.799.SAFE (800.799.7233)
- Missing and Abducted Children – 800.I.AM.LOST (800.426.5678)
- Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network – 800.656.HOPE (800.656.4673)
- RI Child – (800) RI-CHILD (800-742-4453)
RI Foster Parent Bill of Rights