Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families

06/23/2026

On June 22, SPEAK, Rhode Island’s Youth Advisory Board, in partnership with YDS -Youth Development Services, sponsored the 2026 RI Youth Summit, “Blooming with Resilience: Every Flower Must Grow Through Dirt,” which was held at Farm Fresh Rhode Island.

The day featured interactive workshops like team building and mindfulness, along with a resource fair that included community partners such as Adoption Rhode Island, Tides Family Services and the Rhode Island Office of the Child Advocate. The event was designed for young people ages 16–21 who have experienced the foster care system. DCYF leaders and team members attended, including Director Ashley Deckert, Deputy Director Brandi DiDino, Melissa Aguiar-Rivard and Joan Harmon, along with U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo.

Addressing the youth, Deputy Director DiDino said, “You embody something I often say — and truly believe: We’re not defined by what happens to us, but what we make happen. We’re not defined by the hardest moments of our lives. We’re defined by our resilience and determination to turn our experiences into something meaningful for ourselves and for others.”

06/23/2026

ICYMI: Naloxone is a safe and easy-to-use medication that can save the life of a person experiencing an opioid overdose. Making this life-saving medication available to all Rhode Islanders—and ensuring that individuals know how to use it—is the goal of the University of Rhode Island CommunityFirstResponder Program. Learn more: tinyurl.com/34cztpym

06/22/2026

Fireworks are not just for the 4th of July — they seem to be everywhere during the summer months! As part of our campaign, we’re offering these helpful tips for avoiding mishaps around fireworks.

🎇 Make sure there is a responsible adult present when lighting fireworks.

🎇 If you've been drinking alcohol, don't use fireworks.

🎇 Don't hold sparklers. Instead, put them in the ground.

🎇 Don't place or set off any type of fireworks or flammables near children.

🎇 Be sure other people and pets are out of range before lighting fireworks.

Find links to beach and water, boating, hiking and other summer safety tips on our website. https://dcyf.ri.gov/programsinitiatives/summer-safety

06/18/2026

Our campaign continues with this reminder from Safekids.org to “look before you lock,” and never leave a child alone in a car.

🚗 Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving a child in a car, not even for a minute. A car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes, and cracking a window doesn't help. Young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult's.

🚗 Create reminders. Even loving, responsible caregivers have unknowingly left a young child in the car. Place something that you know you'll need at your final destination — a purse, phone or briefcase, for example — in the backseat, and always look before you lock.

🚗 Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.

Find links to driving, beach and water, hiking and other summer safety tips on our website. https://dcyf.ri.gov/programsinitiatives/summer-safety

06/18/2026

Join our executive team as Communications Liaison/Public Information Officer!

Work with DCYF leadership to oversee and execute a strategic communications plan for the agency and its divisions. As PIO, be the official spokesperson for DCYF and regularly interact with members of the media, internal and external stakeholders and the public. You'll be responsible for internal and external messaging and work closely with the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services and other State agency communications teams and the Governor’s communications team.

Learn more and apply by July 2 at https://lnkd.in/g_tn55wA (COMM LIAISON/RELA COORD)

Department Department of Children, Youth, and Families Division Social/Human Services Salary $93,088.00 - $105,427.00 Job Profile JC-02768600-99 - Community Liaison/Relations Coordinator (DCYF) (Non-Union Executive Branch) Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:00pm 35 Hour...

06/17/2026

Happy to All Our Dads!

On June 21, we celebrate the incredible impact fathers make in the lives of their children. Research and experience show that a father's active presence provides a vital anchor, building confidence and shaping their child's life. Our mission and work recognize that a father deserves our outreach, partnership and support to achieve their goals and create and maintain their relationship with their child.

And let’s not forget our community partners such as Parent Support Network of Rhode Island, which has a weekly support group for dads and parent support partners every week called Father-to-Father. And Family Service of RI and Children's Friend, which have trained clinicians to offer the Caring Dads Program.

Thank you to all the dads in our community who work hard every day to stay connected, present, and involved. Your dedication makes a lasting difference, and we are proud to support you on this journey.

For more information and resources, visit the Fatherhood Initiative page on our website at https://shorturl.at/u17mu

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06/17/2026

SAVE THE DATE! August 9, 2026

Join Adoption Rhode Island and community sponsors for a day of live music, food, games, crafts and more at the 11th annual Duffle Bag Bash on Sunday, Aug. 9 from noon-3 p.m. at Matunuck Community Association, 619 Matunuck Beach Rd., South Kingstown. Adult admission is a new rolling duffle bag or suitcase or $25 gift card. Child admission is a new backpack.

Come out and support this great cause!

06/16/2026

Apprenticeship works because of our work together. Thank you to our partners & alumni.

Together with partners in government, education, and industries across Rhode Island, we are celebrating:
✳️440+ pre-apprenticeship graduates placed in building and construction trade apprenticeship programs
✳️40+ non-trade occupations with new registered apprenticeship programs across the state
✳️2,000+ Rhode Islanders who have entered into Registered Apprenticeship programs in expansion occupations

Hundreds of employers and Rhode Islanders benefit from registered apprenticeship programs. Learn more at www.bfri.org.

06/16/2026

On Friday, June 12, DCYF and the Children’s Justice Act Taskforce hosted the daylong SAFE (Safety Assessment through Family Engagement) Practice Model Summit for community partners and DCYF staff.

“The SAFE Summit served as a valuable opportunity to come together, strengthen our teamwork and enhance our skills to better support children and families through SAFE, which has been DCYF’s practice model since 2019,” said DCYF Chief of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Melissa Aguiar-Rivard. More than 150 child- and well-being professionals attended the event.

Speakers included Toby Lester, Rhode Island’s SAFE national consultant, community partners, members of law enforcement, Chief Judge Michael Forte from the Rhode Island Family Court, and DCYF staff including Deputy Director Brandi DiDino, Domenic Lancellotta, Winsome Stone, Colleen Caron, Ryan Page, Stephanie Pezzone, Stacey Barden and Derek Belisle, who shared best practices that can positively impact outcomes for children and families. DCYF Chief of Staff Misty Delgado closed out the afternoon, thanking participants for attending.

“We all play different but equally critical roles in our community and we come here with different experiences and different perspectives,” said Deputy Director DiDino. “But we all have one thing in common: A commitment to bettering the lives of Rhode Island’s children and families.”