Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families

Mental health issues, academic struggles, and undiagnosed learning disabilities can all impact a student’s perception and drive to attend school. Have open, non-judgmental conversations with your student about school, and seek professional supports and resources to help overcome .

School achievement is better when we work together! Open and active communication between families, teachers and school administrators reinforces school as a safe space, improves attendance, and leads to better grades.

Back-to-school stress can manifest in physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches in both you and your children.

Spend time playing outside, start a family relaxation practice, and create a family calendar to help manage time and activities.

Rhode Island children and their families need strong support systems. Can you share your strengths with children and families in need? Learn more about foster care: https://bit.ly/beananchorri

School is exhausting—mentally and physically. Plan after school time anticipating your child or teen may need a snack and a nap before starting homework or other activities.

Every day counts! If you struggle with getting your child to school each day—start a conversation. Learn more about what’s happening at school and how they’re feeling. Connect with teachers and administrators about how they can best support your child at school.

It's back! Back to School Celebration of RI is gearing up for the new school year! Find a celebration near you at 10 locations across RI for free backpacks, and community resources!

DCYF Director Ashley Deckert shares the best advice she got about the importance of going to school.

Attendance Matters: DCYF Director Ashley Deckert (Extended) School attendance is a powerful predictor of student outcomes. Rhode Island defines chronic absenteeism as the percentage of students who miss 10% or more of...

Supporting a student with intellectual or developmental disabilities? The Arc Rhode Island has a Back-to-School Resource Fair for families! Find info and resources here: https://conta.cc/3WIIzHO

FREE Resource Fair & Backpack Event - Save The Date! Join Us at The imPOSSIBLE Dream Center & Playground!     Bringing resources and the community together! Resource Fair & Backpack Drive This year our Backpack Drive will be held during our 1st Annual

Have a confident first day back! Talking about school in a positive way, involving children in back-to-school shopping, and celebrating small achievements can help your child start the school year off right.

Reestablishing routines can significantly reduce issues that arise as children head back to school. Start early by readjusting bedtimes and reinforce consistent wake-up times (even on the weekend). will thank you. 😉

Calling all South County families! Head to the Back-to-School Resource Fair hosted by Jonnycake Center of Westerly and Wood River Health this weekend for resources, activities and free .

Saturday, August 17th from 10am to 1pm - let's help you get your kiddos ready for school in the Fall!

The Jonnycake Center of Westerly, Wood River Health, the Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Energy are hosting a FREE Back to School Fair at the Westerly Armory. The event is rain or shine!

There will be games, arts and crafts, school supplies and other prizes!

*School age children must be present to participate*

Special thanks to WBLQ - FM 103.1 and Stereo 1230 and The Washington Trust Company for their support!

DCYF Director Ashley Deckert comments on this important news for Rhode Island youth, "Addressing the behavioral health needs of our female adolescents is not just a mission; it's a commitment to their futures. We are dedicated to ensuring that these young women receive the care they deserve right here in our state. Through our collaboration with Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the RI Family Court, and the Office of the Child Advocate, we are making significant strides toward establishing a new residential treatment facility in Rhode Island. This initiative is crucial for providing our youth with the support they need, fostering their well-being, and helping them thrive in a nurturing environment.”

What a great day to celebrate the groundbreaking of the residential treatment facility for girls in Exeter. This new facility will provide 16 residential beds, classrooms, treatment rooms, recreation areas, and support spaces for youth, staff, and families. Thanks to all who attended, including Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families Director Ashley Deckert, DCYF social case worker Emily Mahoney, Rep. Julie Casimiro, Rep. Patricia Serpa, Sen. Louis DiPalma, and Sen. Alana DiMario.

Beat the heat! ☀ Join Hamlet Resource Hub for a Woonsocket Family Fun Day at the WWII Veteran's Park. Splash pad 💦 Free lunch 🥪 Games & crafts 🧩

Are you ready to go back to school? 🏫👩‍🏫

We're looking forward to starting the school year of right. If you need help prepping your family to head back to school, DCYF is here to help. Reach out at1-888-RI-Famly (1-888-743-2659)!

DCYF Director Ashley Deckert is excited to be supporting Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Education - RIDE's campaign.

We applaud the great work of students and families who’ve committed to improving school attendance, and we’re looking forward to a great new school year!

Rhode Island leaders continue fight against chronic absenteeism Rhode Island state leaders continued their push to keep kids in the classroom and fight chronic absenteeism.

You can find us at Adoption Rhode Island's Duffle Bag Bash this weekend having fun and doing something good! There's still time to get tickets. Bring a suitcase, duffle bag or $25 gift card for adult admission, or a new backpack for child admission.

Join us for this special and impactful event on August 11th at the Matunuck Community Association!

Far too often, children and youth that live in foster care or residential placements carry their belongings in a trash bag. By providing these youths with their own duffle bags or rolling suitcases, they have a way to safely transport their personal belongings when moving to a new place.

To register for this event, please visit eventbrite.com/e/9th-annual-duffle-bag-bash-2024-tickets-925319223707

Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a successful event!

It was an honor for DCYF to be invited to participate in the Rhody Family Matters podcast with our colleagues to discuss the topic of Substance Exposed Newborns and the collaboration work happening between DCYF, the RI Department of Health (RIDOH), the Parent Support Network of Rhode Island (PSN).

Substance Exposed Newborns - Riverside - HD Podcast & Video Software

Help aged 16-21 build community connections! for the Impact Mentor Program with Communities for People allows you to encourage positivity and growth while sharing your and lived experience.

Youth Development Services (YDS) - MA RI Foster Care Adoption C4P Communities for People (CFP) serves youth and families in Massachusetts and Rhode Island through community-based residential programs, managed care networks, adoption, foster care, MAPP training, outpatient services, non profit back office support services, IT solutions and financial management.

If you're a current or former , join Communities for People, YDS and SPEAK at the annual Youth Summit! Wednesday, July 17 at Rhode Island College (RIC). Register now at: https://communities-for-people.org/youthsummit/

If you are between the ages of 16 and 21 and you have been in RI State Care, this event is for you! Join us by registering at www.c4p.org/youthsummit or by scanning the code. If you have any questions please email [email protected].

Support your youth in learning valuable life skills in an inclusive and accepting environment. Sign up for with Youth Pride Inc. and Rhode Island Community Food Bank! The first session is Tuesday, July 9 at 1:00pm.

: Teens are the fastest-growing age group in . They crave stability and guidance. Learn more about offering support at an upcoming info session: https://bit.ly/beananchorinfosession

Hurricane Season is here! Take a moment to review or create a family emergency plan and refresh your emergency kit supplies.

Not sure what needs to go into your Family Emergency Plan? Check out the fillable form at https://ready.gov/plan

Thank you to Rhode Island Training School students, staff, and volunteers for all their work to honor and remember the people buried at the State Farm Cemetery Annex. You can learn more about it in this great Boston Globe article and video.

Teens incarcerated in R.I. write obituaries for the forgotten: ‘No one should be just a number’ - The Boston Globe More than 1,000 anonymous graves sit just adjacent to the Rhode Island Training School. The young people incarcerated there worked to give stories to those buried next door.

Celebrating community and freedom today! ❤💛💚🖤