The mission of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) is to partner with families and communities to raise safe and healthy children and youth in a caring environment and to engage respectfully and effectively with people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, classes, genders, sexual orientations, and faiths in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of all individuals, families, tribes, and communities, and protects and preserves the dignity of each.
Director Deckert embarked on a Listen and Learn Tour across the state of RI in 2023. This series of structured, broad, and deep engagement of Department leadership with the community will provided opportunities for any stakeholder that touches the DCYD system to engage in meaningful discussions about DCYF’s challenges, strengths, outcomes, mission, and goals.
Goals of The Listening and Learning tour:
- Reinforce DCYF’s commitment to Rhode Island’s children, youth and families we serve.
- Highlight youth and family voice to address challenges.
- Drive innovative best practice and;
- Strengthen collaboration and partnerships.
This executive summary provides an overview of the effort and key findings.
