About Be An Anchor

What is “Be An Anchor?”

Be An Anchor is Rhode Island’s community engagement strategy to support foster care recruitment and retention. Our Resource Families are “anchors” for children in DCYF Community support is critical to ensuring that a child can be cared for in a safe and reliable family setting that is well supported and able to care for the child’s individual needs.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is committed to the goal that all children and youth should be cared for in a safe, supportive family setting.

To support this goal, DCYF is focused on ensuring that we have a diverse group of families who can Be An Anchor for children, and that our Anchors are well prepared and supported to care for children in foster care.

Resource Families

Resource Family is an inclusive term used when referring to all types of foster families. kinship caregivers, Traditional foster families, Private Foster Care Agency foster families, pre-adoptive families, and respite caregivers.

 

All Resource families Provide:

• A safe and healthy home                                
• Are a part of the child’s team
• Support shared parenting
• Assist and support visitation                                       
• Maintain a child’s confidentiality
• Communicate needs for you and the child

Types of Resource Caregivers

Kinship Caregivers are a relative or a member of the child’s support system. This can include a godparent, close family friend or member of the child’s community. There may be one or two kinship foster parents in the household.

Traditional Resource Caregivers are supported directly through DCYF, our families care for children of all ages and permanency goals.

Private Agency Resource Caregivers are sponsored by one of Rhode Island's 9 private contracted Foster Care agencies. Our private agency partners specialize in providing services for foster families who care for foster children who have higher levels of need.