RI violates civil rights of children with behavioral health disabilities. “An utter void in crisis services”

State fails to provide adequate services for children.

United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha District of Rhode Island held a press conference yesterday to announce that the state of Rhode Island – and DCYF, specifically – has violated federal civil rights laws by “routinely and unnecessarily segregating children with mental health and/or developmental disabilities”. The violations note the placement of children at Bradley…

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Developmental Disability News: New US probe brings urgency to RI funding debate – Gina Macris

RINewsToday

By Gina Macris, publisher, Developmental Disabilities News (Article was being developed as the US Attorney, Cunha, called his press conference to announce the civil rights violation of children with behavioral health disabilities) Private agencies providing health and human services to vulnerable Rhode Islanders stand to get far less money than recommended by the state Office…

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GriefSPEAK: A loss by any name is still a loss – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A woman is standing in the woods looking at the sun.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Taryn is a 30-something foster mom.…

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ACLU joins decades old federal class action on DCYF treatment of children in its care, custody

A person sitting on a skateboard.

ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorneys today joined a national organization’s long-standing federal class action lawsuit that requires the Department for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to implement systemic reforms to improve its treatment of children in its care and custody. The lawsuit was filed more than a decade ago by the national organization Children’s Rights…

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In the Arena – Sue Babin, RI Foster and Adoptive Families

Sue Babin

Each week Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews leaders in Rhode Island. This week he interviews Sue Babin, of RI Foster and Adoptive Families. The organization was begun by four women who were foster mothers. The group supports families in the foster process. There are many supports out there. Often grandparents may be caring for children and…

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“We cannot ignore the peril of children…” DCYF letter on legal obligation to report neglect in homeless crisis

A young boy sitting on a couch with an older woman.

RINewsToday did a report earlier this week on the concern about children living outdoors or in unheated circumstances, “unfit for human habitation” as part of the homeless crisis impacting Rhode Island as the weather turns bitterly cold. In response to our article, Kevin Aucoin, Acting Director of the RI Department of Children Youth and Families…

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