system of care for rhode island's children, youth and families

April 8, 2002
Honorable Thomas J. Izzo
Honorable Steven M. Costantino
Robert L. Carl, Jr., Ph.D., Director
State House
Providence RI 02903
Dear Ideal System of Care Task Force Chairmen:
Rhode Island policymakers from all three branches of government - Executive, Legislative and
Judicial- as well as the private sector are committed to conceptualize and realize an “Ideal System of
Care” for Rhode Island’s children, youth and families. This report reflects the consensus of the
members of the Ideal System of Care Committee, a broad-based, self-selected committee that was
established as a workgroup of the RI System of Care Task Force.
I am pleased to forward this report and its recommendations for your consideration. The
recommendations are informed by presentations, written submissions, and debate from numerous
sources including individual committee members. They reflect input provided by the other two Task
Force workgroups, Current Reality and Foster Care. The organized, ideal system is defined by four
major themes – family centeredness, educational success, community based service delivery, and
system accountability - which emerged during the course of the committee’s discussions and flow
from a shared vision of a service system that supports children in families. The committee recognized
the need for short-term program initiatives to transition from the current reality to an ideal system.
However, all participants recognize that real progress can be made only through the implementation
of long-term, systemic change. This report recognizes that while the implementation of the
recommendations requires the commitment of the citizens of the State, the appropriate lead state
agency for implementing and administering the key recommendations of this report is the Department
of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).
This report is a blueprint for action. The committee is cognizant that the current reality within the
State will impact the implementation of the blueprint as we move forward within the context of an
uncertain economic forecast, a change in the leadership in the Executive Branch, and a change in the
size and alignment of the Legislature. Rhode Island has continually demonstrated a commitment to
providing adequate, competent and timely services to its children and youth. This report proposes a
strategy for the location, level and funding for the provision of those services.
I look forward to working with you and the other members of Rhode Island’s system of care toward
implementing the actions in this plan.
Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this significant effort.
Sincerely,
A. Kathryn Power
Director, Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals
Chairwoman, Committee on the Design of the Ideal System of Care
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