Data Reporting Rates of child mistreatment are going down, and prevention efforts are improving, but high removal rates and changes in foster care placements still make it hard for families to stay stable in Rhode Island.
“Child welfare in Rhode Island has been a touchy subject for many years but shows signs of progress in a forward direction. According to recent data, the rate of victimization of children to mistreatment has been trending downward in Rhode Island. The data also indicate that the number of child neglect reports has gone down but could be because of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022-23. The number of children who experience repeat mistreatment also remains low, under 10%. These numbers are showing vast improvement compared to how these numbers were 10 years ago.
Foster care placement and long-term stability are key indicators of progress in Rhode Island’s child welfare and family services system. Recent data from Rhode Island Kids Count shows a shift in placement types, with the percentage of children in out-of-home care placed in relative foster homes decreasing from 35% (634) on December 31, 2022 to 30% (491) on December 1, 2023. (rikidscount.com) This shift is significant and concerning because children placed in congregate care settings generally experience less stability than those placed in foster homes, particularly relative foster care, which is associated with stronger long-term outcomes for children.
Rhode Island enacts a new plan to try and reduce out-of-home placements. This new strategy, dubbed PACE (Prevention, Accountability, Collaboration, and Engagement), aims for more positive outcomes for children and families (DCYF). Despite Rhode Island being one of the smallest states population and size-wise, it has the 10th highest removal rate in 2023 of 34.8%(nccpr). This removal rate is significant because children removed have an “elevated risk of attachment disorders, adverse mental and physical health, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and a higher likelihood of developing substance use issues later in life”(NIH). This work by the PACE plan on both strengthening family units, accountability, and community organization collaboration could vastly improve outcomes of children.
In addition to foster care placement and permanency outcomes, prevention and family support services play a critical role in strengthening Rhode Island’s child welfare system. Numerous programs such as home services, substance use treatment, mental health support, and economic assistance help cover the underlying factors that lead to child welfare involvement. By supporting families before crises escalate, these services can reduce the need for out-of-home placements and improve long-term stability for children. Continued investment in prevention efforts is essential to keeping children safely with their families whenever possible. dcyf.ri.gov
Overall, the data shows both progress and ongoing challenges within Rhode Island’s child welfare system. Trends in foster care placement, permanency outcomes, and placement stability portray that while efforts have been made to improve outcomes for children and families, declines in relative foster care and continued reliance on less stable placements remain of concern. These concerns highlight the importance of strengthening family-based placements and long-term stability to ensure better outcomes for children in care.”
Audio-Visual: JT Lawrence
Copy-Editing: Michelle Stiber
Graphic Design: Fatima Rasuly
Research & Script Writing: Jacob Barber and Ashlyn Keating