Foster care (also known as out-of-home care) is a temporary service provided by each state for children who cannot live with their families. Children in foster care may live with relatives or with unrelated foster parents. Foster care can also refer to placement settings such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living.
In Rhode Island, foster care is managed by the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF). This service is designed for children who are unable to live with their families due to safety concerns, abuse, neglect, or other serious issues. Foster care provides a temporary home where children can live with either relatives, known as kinship care, or with unrelated foster parents who have been trained and licensed to provide care. The state also utilizes other types of placements such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living for older youth. The goal of foster care in Rhode Island is to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children while working towards family reunification, adoption, or another permanent living situation, depending on the best interests of the child.