We are an organization of opportunity, working hand-in-hand with other resources in Rhode Island to offer a full continuum of services for families, adults, children, elders, individuals with disabilities and veterans.
Department of Children, Youth & Families
The Department was established by the state legislature in 1980 by merging children's programs previously administered by 4 different state agencies. The Director of DCYF is also a member of the RI Children's Cabinet, which addresses cross-departmental issues relating to children's needs and services. We are one of a small group of states that integrate the 3 major public responsibilities for troubled children, youth and families in one agency: Child Welfare, Children's Behavioral Health, and Juvenile Corrections.
Bright StarsBrightStars helps child care providers in Rhode Island learn about best practices in early learning and apply them to the care children receive.
BrightStars is a quality rating and improvement system (QRIS). QRIS initiatives exist in many states across the country, and although each state model is unique, all QRIS programs are designed to rate the quality or level of a child care program, identify areas for improvement, inform consumers about levels of quality, and target quality improvement resources.
Child Care Aware is America's Most trusted child care resourceCHILDSPAN enhanceS the professional development of all those individuals serving children birth through age 16 to ensure availability of high-quality care and education services for Rhode Island children, youth, and their families.
NRI Community Services is a comprehensive behavioral healthcare organization that offers help with the many emotional, mental health and substance abuse issues that may disrupt your life.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
NAEYC is the nation's largest organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of programs for children from birth through third grade.
Office of Child Care Support Services
Our mission is to enhance the well being of children by assuring that assistance in obtaining support, including financial and medical, is available by locating parents, establishing paternity, establishing child support and medial obligations and monitoring and enforcing those obligations.