Be An Anchor

Wishing families across Rhode Island a season of love and light.

Did you miss our Foster Care and the Holidays training sessions? Follow us here for tips for managing the stress and anxiety of the holidays.

We should be saying “these kids absolutely deserve this because they do.”

Children and youth have items they need and want, and more than anything they need family and community to thrive.

How can you during this season and always to someone who needs you?

It's that time of year once again when organizations step up to meet the basic needs and desires of children in child welfare.

While we love witnessing these acts of kindness, we're not a fan of the sentiment that these kids are “so lucky!!”. The reality is, children in child welfare are far from lucky to be in their current circumstances.

While receiving Christmas gifts and new pajamas may bring them joy (as it rightfully should), it's not a matter of luck.

Instead of saying, "these kids are so lucky!" perhaps we should be saying, "these kids absolutely deserve this!" because they truly do.

Children find themselves in foster care through no fault of their own, and sometimes people overlook the challenges they face.

If you experience escalating behaviors, or if you're looking to increase your skillset with de-escalation strategies, join our partners on Thursday, December 14 at 6:30pm.

Register with [email protected].

Don't miss the last session of our seasonal training, Foster Care and the Holidays. Register for the Wednesday evening session at https://bit.ly/foster-holidays-wed.

Every child's and family's adoption story starts differently, but one thing will always remain true...💙

We're looking for families open to supporting the unique needs of children and youth in foster care. This December, join us at an information session to learn how you can Be An Anchor. https://bit.ly/beananchor-info

Are you a student headed to ? Are you supporting a student starting their college journey? 👨‍🎓👩‍🎓

Don't miss this! Gail E. Mance-Rios, Assoc. Dir. of RI Educational Opportunity Center and Communities for People are hosting students and families for an info session on free services available for students pursuing college or technical school.

Agency Partner Roll Call! 📃

As you're planning your charitable giving today and throughout the holiday season, please consider donations to any of these Rhode Island organizations that help us support local children and families.

The Holiday Season can be exceptionally hard for children and families who are separated. We're hosting a seasonal training session for resource families to help recognize and manage trauma reminders and stressors unique to the season.

Register at https://bit.ly/foster-holidays-fri or https://bit.ly/foster-holidays-wed.

A DCYF Peer Mentor shares this perspective on adoption from foster care:
"Adoption is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It is both sadness and snuggles. It is both loss and love. Becoming a parent through the path of adoption from foster care has been wonderfully hard, and it is the greatest and most purposeful experience of our lives."

We all have a role to play in lifting up the voices of youth in planning for their future.

A reminder this :
The best gifts we can give this holiday season are hope, love, support, and stability.

This , we're grateful for the families who come together as a community, show each other grace, and work tirelessly to support children in need. 💙💙💙

What or who are you grateful for?

'Tis the season of hope and love!
Join us for a family craft night at Friendship Baptist Church and learn more about being an anchor to Rhode Island children and youth.

RSVP at https://bit.ly/seaon-of-hope-love.

Birth family support is critical for successful reunification! 🤝 Find connection, compassion, and growth at The Groden Network "Your Autism Experts"'s newest support group specifically for families involved with DCYF. Group meets every other week on Tuesday from 12-1pm.

School-aged boys in Rhode Island are waiting to find forever families.

When you're ready to Be An Anchor by adopting through foster care, start here: https://dcyf.ri.gov/services/foster-care-adoption/apply-be-anchor

If you're a Rhode Island resident, you've probably heard about Medicaid renewals for 2024. Children and youth in foster care will be automatically renewed.

Former foster youth and their families are encouraged to visit https://staycovered.ri.gov as their renewal options may require action.

Teens and youth in foster care long to establish permanent family connections.

Are you considering foster care or adoption of a teen or youth? Learn more at an info session: https://bit.ly/beananchor-info

Hear Darien’s story and be inspired to .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGCX702hx1w

The Archibald Project
Child Welfare Information Gateway

Rhode Island is home to many grief support resources for children and their families. 💙

What resources have helped you or your children heal from grief and loss? Tag them in the comments.

The grief and loss felt by a child and their family when involved with the child welfare system is unique and powerful. Today, let's pause to acknowledge these emotions and make a promise help children and youth build healthy practices for grieving.

Adoptionri lights the night!

💜 Look for buildings around Rhode Island lit purple in support of our state's adoptive youth and their families. 💜

Have you registered for our FosterParentCollege.com wrap-up session on Foster Care to Adoption?

Join DCYF staff with foster and adoptive families for discussion on course takeaways and processes in Rhode Island. https://bit.ly/fpc-adoption-wrapup

You've attended an info session, connected with the foster and adoptive community, talked with a member of the DCYF team...what's next?

⚓Start your resource family application at
https://dcyf.ri.gov/services/foster-care-adoption/apply-be-anchor

This , we are reminded about the importance of kindness, empathy and perspective from Wendy Mass, children's book author.

If you're exploring adoption from foster care, don't miss this special evening (TONIGHT at 6pm) with Adoptionri. Please RSVP to [email protected].

May the light of guide your path all year long. 🎇🕯🎇

This , we thank those who have served as an anchor to all.

Where do you find inspiration, solace, or a sense of community and connection over lived experience?

A DCYF Peer Mentor shares what adoption means for her family:
"Adoption is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It is both sadness and snuggles. It is both loss and love. Becoming a parent through the path of adoption from foster care has been wonderfully hard, and it is the greatest and most purposeful experience of our lives."

There are many myths and expectations around adoption from foster care that can feel problematic for children and foster families. In November, for , we're kicking off Foster Care to Adoption with .

Register for this kick-off session at https://bit.ly/fpc-adoption-kickoff

Calling all trivia whizzes! 🤓 [Nerd Face emoji]
Play some trivia with and support children and families in the Rhode Island foster care system on Thursday, 11/09 at in Cranston.

Is your family nearing or considering permanency options for the children in your care? Learn the ins and outs of providing and supporting permanency at this in-person workshop with our friends at .

Register by emailing [email protected].

⚓ Are you ready to Be An Anchor to children in Rhode Island? ⚓
Register for an upcoming info session here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-foster-parent-information-session-tickets-105475959434?aff=oddtdtcreator

Teens make up a significant portion of youth in Rhode Island foster care waiting to be matched with their forever family.

If you're considering adoption, have you considered being an anchor for an older youth?

Thank you to our Anchors, Adoption Rhode Island and our partners who work so hard to achieve positive outcomes for our children and families.