Child & Family Support
You’re not alone in this journey.
We’ve been there, raising kids and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges, DCYF involvement, or navigating the ups and downs of recovery as a parent. It can be overwhelming and confusing to figure out the services and support your child and family need.
Our Family Support Partners are here to lend a hand.
But don’t worry, our services are completely free!
Statewide helpline 401-467-6855
Run by parents and family members who have direct experience and understand your needs firsthand. We have knowledge and experience with early childhood, schools and special education, behavioral health centers, child welfare, and the juvenile justice system. We are here to provide emotional support and help you navigate and access the services and support you need.
Parents can do a self referral. Agencies can make referrals with consent. Our services are free of charge to Rhode Island families.
Referral Form
Release Form
Formulario de Consentimiento (Spanish Release Form)
Get Family Peer Support
Family Support Partners with lived experience are ready to provide one-on-one non-clinical peer-based support by attending care planning and school-based meetings with parents around their children's mental health and other child and family service needs. We work with parents who are overcoming their struggles with their mental health or substance use challenges.
Circle of Parents Groups
All meetings are free, parent-led, and guided by trained group facilitators to help strengthen families and understand the value of essential communication and responsibility. In collaboration with Child & Family. Check current group schedule here.
Parenting Education
We offer evidence-based Nurturing Parenting classes with parents and family caregivers looking to strengthen their skills in caring for their children and adolescents. No judgment, just compassion. The next 12-week course starts Feb 23rd!
NOTE: Free Registration is only open to CRU/DCYF referrals at this time. Apply to join
Fatherhood Support
We offer various support and services to fathers. From individual support to a weekly support group. Learn more
Family Support for Substance Use
For parents who are impacted by opioid addiction, mental health, and/or substance use challenges. Speak to someone who understands firsthand what it is like to overcome these challenges and work towards recovery and wellness while taking care of our children too. We have experience with DCYF child welfare involvement, incarceration, and homelessness, and we can help.
Birth Parent Support
The RI Birth Parent Advisory Board aims to engage and support the voice of birth parents, as well as to advocate for the strengthening of Rhode Island’s child welfare system to maintain and reunite children safely with their families.
Support Group Meetings — birth parents who have current open cases with DCYF or closed cases are invited to participate. All meetings are free and facilitated by birth parents who are trained in the Circle of Parents leadership model.
Father 2 Father Group
Onsite children's activities and transportation can be coordinated if you pre-register.
This is a free Circle of Parents group in collaboration with Child & Family.
Partners in Prevention: Identifying & Responding to Child Sexual Abuse
Join Prevent Child Abuse RI for our quarterly meeting with presentations by Day One, the Aubin Center, and long-time prevention volunteer Marcia Dykstra, for an impactful community discussion on:
-identify signs a child may be experiencing abuse, recognize when a child is making a disclosure, and respond effectively to promote child wellbeing
-prevention strategies, tips for talking to children about body safety, and information on mandated reporting
-accessing clinical care and support
-what is currently being done in RI, where there may be gaps and how we can best go about addressing the issue in our communities
