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Last Updated: October 6, 2009

Rhode Island

State Coordinator(s)

Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families
Mike Burk
Assistant to the Director
101 Friendship Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 528-3576
Fax: (401) 528-3790
Email: mike.burk@dcyf.ri.gov

2009 Chafee Allocation

$729,750

2009 ETV Allocation

$245,393

Number of youth 16-21 (most current AFCARS data -2006)

794

State's Chafee Mission Statement

To ensure that every youth in care is provided the skills, knowledge and opportunities needed to succeed and the opportunity to achieve permanency.

Who is Eligible for Chafee Services?

Youth in out of home care age 16 or older and youth who have aged out of care up until their 21st birthday.

What is the State's Definition of Room and Board?

Rhode Island does not use Chafee funds to support Room and Board.

Maximum Age that Youth may Remain in Care

18

All youth, unless they are identified as seriously emotionally disturbed and in need of continued state involvement and youth solely involved with the Department for reasons of deliquency, are closed to the Family Court and to the Department on their 18th birthday. Youth identified as being seriously emotionally disturbed are closed to the Family Court on their 18th birthday but may continue to remain open to the Department for services until they turn 21. Youth who are involved with the Department due to reasons of delinquency may continue to be adjudicated to the Department until they turn 19. 

Under what Conditions Can a Youth Remain in Care Beyond 18?

As of July 1, 2007, all youth in the care and custody of the Department for reasons other than juvenile delinquency are terminated to the Family Court upon reaching the age of 18. The Department will keep open and continue to provide services, up to age 21, to Youth who are identified as seriously emotionally disturbed and not yet eligible for the adult system of care. Other former foster care youth who leave the Department on or after their 18th birthday are closed to the Department but may be eligible for Aftercare Support Services provided through private agencies. They must apply for such services. These services provide limited management supports, the establishment of budget/living expenses and some assistance with such expenses, and the establishment of a self-sufficiency plan.

Is the Extended Medicaid Option Available for Youth Until 21?

Yes

The Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) rule, Categorically Needy Post Foster Care Coverage Group (0342.100), provides that Medical Assistance benefits will be provided to youth under twenty-one (21) years of age who were in foster care on their eighteenth (18th) birthday, who have been closed to DCYF and who are residents of Rhode Island. These youth are deemed categorically needy and there is no income or resource test applied when determining eligibility. Upon closing to DCYF, the DCYF worker must inform the youth that the youth must provide DHS with notice of all address changes to ensure that all Medical Assistance correspondence will be delivered to the youth and that coverage will be maintained. Youth have to do an annual eligibility redetermination.

Can Youth in Care Get Driver’s Licenses?

The Department does not have a written policy relating to this issue. However, our practice has been to allow a willing third party, e.g., parent, foster parent to take responsibility to sign for the youth to obtain a driver's permit/license and ensure that the youth has liability insurance. The matter should first be discussed with the DCYF worker and, unless it is not determined to be in the best interests of all involved, the Department would approve the arrangement.

Does the State Offer Tuition Waivers for Foster Youth?

No

While Rhode Island does not offer tuition waivers, it does have the DCYF Higher Education Opportunity Grant Program which provides the Department with $200,000 annually to help pay for tuition and fees for foster youth and former foster youth attending one of Rhode Island’s three public higher education institutions (University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island). This statutorily defined program requires that youth had been in care for two years and that they attend college on a full time basis.

Does the State Have a Youth Leadership Program?

Yes

The Chafee Life Skills Center, funded in part through Chafee Foster Care Independence Program funds, has an active youth board and youth leadership program.