Rhode Island Foster Care
and Adoption Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in helping the children in the child welfare system. Although this journey is not for everyone, it can be the most rewarding decision you will ever make. The journey can be long and at times frustrating, but we are here to give you support and encouragement along the way for as long as you need or want it.

Contact Information

• Adoption Rhode Island
  Contact: Beth Capron
  Email: bcapron@adoptionri.org
  Phone: 401-865-6000
• Para información en español
  Contacte: Everin Perez
  Correo Electrónico: everin@ulri.org

Things You Should Know

• Foster Care and Adoption Licensing Requirements
• Parent Support Groups
• Agency Contact and Orientation Information
• Information on Rhode Island's Waiting Children

Foster Care and Adoption Licensing Requirements

To start the journey to become a foster parent, an application form must be completed. A packet can be sent to you if you call 401-528-3700 and request one or go to the Adoption Rhode Island website.

To start the journey to becoming an adoptive parent, a rapid response form must be completed. These can be obtained by attending an information meeting. These meetings are held once a month in Providence and North Kingstown. Please call for more information, 401-865-6000.

Once your application for either foster parenting or adoption is received, a background check will be completed and fingerprinting will be processed on all adult applicants. Also, references will be checked and a medical clearance will be sent to your doctor.

When all paper work is received, you will be invited to attend training classes. Classes are mandatory. These classes are held once a week, in the evening, for three hours at a time, and they last for 10 weeks. The classes are offered at several different locations. There will be paper work that will need to be completed during classes. Once classes are completed and all paper work has come back or has been turned in, a homestudy will be written and then you will be licensed.

Parent Support Groups

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

Information Meetings held at:

Agency Contact Information by type:

Foster Care Training, Kinship Care Training and Adoption Preparation

• Department of Children Youth and Families
  Children ages birth to 18
  Address: 101 Friendship St., Providence, RI 02903
  Phone: 401-528-3700

Private/ Therapeutic Foster Care Agencies

Information on Children

There are 2,509 children in foster care in Rhode Island; 382 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.

For more information, contact:

• The Department of Children Youth and Families
  Contact: Diane Savage
  Address: 101 Friendship St., Providence, RI 02903
  Phone: 401-528-3676