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
Darlene Allen
(401) 865-6000
dallen@adoptionri.org
Para información en español, contacte:
Everin Perez
everin@ulri.org
Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption
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, www.adoptionri.org.
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 us for more information at (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 ten 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.
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Parent Support Groups
Adoption Rhode Island
Two Bradford Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 865-6000
Casey Family Services
1268 Eddy Street
Providence, RI 02905
(401) 781-3669
Children’s Friend and Service
153 Summer Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-4300
Family Resources
245 Main Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895
(401) 766-0900
RI Foster Parent Association
55 Brow Street
East Providence, RI 02914
(401) 438-3900
Agency Contact and Orientation Information
Information Meetings held at:
Adoption Rhode Island
2 Bradford Street
Providence, RI 02903
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
September 15, 2010
October 19, 2010
November 17, 2010
December 14, 2010
The Department of Children Youth and Families
650 Ten Rod Road North
Kingstown, RI 02852
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
The last Wednesday of each month
Agency Contact Information by type:
Foster Care Training, Kinship Care Training and Adoption Preparation
Department of Children Youth and Families
Children ages birth to eighteen
101 Friendship Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 528-3700
Private/ Therapeutic Foster Care Agencies
Casey Family Services
Children ages five to eighteen
1268 Eddy Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 781-3669
Children’s Friend and Service
Children ages birth to six
153 Summer Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-4300
Communities for People
Children ages twelve to eighteen
623 Atwells Avenue
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 273-7103
Community Care Services
Children ages birth to eighteen
628 Park Avenue
Cranston, RI 02910
(401) 785-0770
Devereux Therapeutic Foster Care
Children ages birth to eighteen
501 Centerville Road, Suite 102
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 734-9680
Family Resources
Children ages birth to eighteen
245 Main Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895
(401) 766-0900
Family Services of Rhode Island
Children ages six to eighteen
134 Thurbers Avenue
Providence, RI 02905
(401) 331-1350
Girls and Boys Town of New England
Children ages two to eighteen
58 Flanagan Road
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 845-2250
Groden Center
Children ages three to eighteen
610 Manton Avenue
Providence, RI 02909
(401) 274-6310
Rhode Island Mentor
Children ages birth to eighteen
22 Thurber Blvd.
Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 231-0739
North American Family Institute
Children ages ten to eighteen
350 Duncan Drive
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 351-6728
Phoenix Homes
Children ages birth to eighteen
2348 Post Road, Suite 105
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 732-5500
Urban League of Rhode Island
Children Ages birth to eighteen
246 Prairie Avenue
Providence, RI 02905
(401) 351-5000
Additional resources related to adoption and foster care include trainings offered for families through the Adoption and Foster Care Task Force c/o Adoption Rhode Island and workshops offered to professionals interested in clinical practice are offered through the Clinical Issues in Adoption and Foster Care Certificate program at Rhode Island College (afcc@ric.edu)
*2010 dates for information meetings here at Adoption Rhode Island include September 15th, October 19th, November 17th and December 14th. Families can also see which workshops are being offered at www.ric.edu/socialwork.
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
101 Friendship Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 528-3799
Maureen Robbins
Adoption Rhode Island
Two Bradford Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 865-6000