Government Agencies

Office of the Child Advocate

The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) serves as the oversight agency to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).  In this role, the OCA is responsible for monitoring the operation of each unit within the Department to ensure compliance with internal policies and protocols, state law, and federal law.  In addition, the OCA monitors data and trends to ensure DCYF operates within the best practices of child welfare and identifies systemic change needs when necessary. 

The OCA monitors each child open to DCYF to protect the legal rights of children in State care and to promote policies and practices which ensure that children are safe, that children have permanent and stable families, and that children in out of home placements have their physical, mental, medical, educational, emotional, and behavioral needs met. 

Children’s Cabinet

The Children's Cabinet is a committee consisting of state agencies that serve children and families. Together, state agencies collaborate to put families at the center of government services, supports, and programs to ensure that children ages zero to twenty-four can thrive. Governor Gina Raimondo has charged the Children's Cabinet with increasing third grade reading proficiency in Rhode Island -- a key focus of this effort has been connecting children in DCYF care with the highest quality services and supports, including evidence-based Family Home Visiting and high-quality child care and Pre-K. More information is available at http://www.kids.ri.gov/. 

Key Partners include: 
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Human Services
Department of Health
Department of Education