Family Service of Rhode Island Awarded $499,513 for Together Forever Project

Press Release

Family Service of Rhode Island has been awarded $499,513 through the federal Administration for Children and Families to support the "Together Forever Project," which focuses on helping children in state care waiting for an adoptive home for at least two years.

Only eight awards were made nationally.

"The goal is to find stable, loving homes for these most deserving children," said Family Service of Rhode Island CEO Margaret Holland McDuff. "Through our ongoing partnership with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and Adoption Rhode Island, over the 17 month grant period, children waiting the longest for adoptive families will receive a specialized combination of Trauma Systems Therapy, best practice adoptive parent recruitment, trauma-informed preparation for adoption, and ongoing support through each stage of the adoption process."

The objectives for the "Together Forever Project" include improved mental, emotional, and behavioral functioning of the children waiting for adoption to avoid placement disruptions; reduction in the number of older adolescents "aging out" of the state system without an adoptive family; reduction of the amount of time children wait for adoption; and integration of the "Together Forever Project" model into the state child welfare system.

"I am pleased that the federal government has decided to support the "Together Forever Project' as these funds serve a vulnerable segment of our population," Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said. "To benefit the children in state care, DCYF continues to work with nonprofit agencies such as Family Service of Rhode Island."

"Every child deserves a safe, healthy, and loving home," said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. "I congratulate Family Service of Rhode Island on this federal funding, which will help place children in nurturing family environments."

"Children living in foster care deserve the security and continuity of a forever home, and finding permanent placements must be a top priority," said Congressman Jim Langevin, a board member for Adoption Rhode Island and member of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, who in June introduced the Permanent Families for All Children Act that would redirect federal resources towards helping foster youth find their "forever family." "Family Service of Rhode Island is a strong advocate for children in our state, and foster children in particular, and I am thrilled that they will be using this grant award to help these young people find their place in the world."

"All children deserve to live in a home with a loving family, but while they wait in adoptive care we must ensure they are prepared to transition to a new home and their most basic needs are being met," said Congressman David N. Cicilline. "I'm glad Family Service of Rhode Island will use this federal grant to support child-care professionals, children and families during the adoption process."

"One of the guiding principles of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families is to ensure stability and well-being for all children in loving, supportive families. Every child, regardless of age or circumstance, deserves a family. This grant provides us with the opportunity to partner with the community to support families and children in working through past trauma to develop permanent families," said DCYF Director Janice DeFrances. "We are very pleased to be a part of the "Together Forever Project' which will help the children in our care who have been waiting for much deserved permanency in their lives."

"The youth waiting longest for adoption are kids that have experienced many traumatic events in their lives. They need specialized help from adoption and trauma experts to help them feel safe and securely attached to a new adoptive family," said Darlene Allen, executive director of Adoption Rhode Island, the state's designated adoption exchange for children in state care. "Similarly the families want to do the best for these kids but often do not have the right support and services. For too many of these kids and families, the adoption disrupts. We want to prevent adoption disruptions and promote family stability. That is what this unique partnership is all about."

Family Service of Rhode Island is a statewide non-profit human and educational service organization. More information is available at www.familyserviceri.org