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

APPENDIX B: PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY CENTERED PRACTICE
AS ADOPTED BY THE RI DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH
AND FAMILIES
The principles of family centered practice embraced below reflect the Department of Children,
Youth and Families investment in developing and maintaining a family centered system of
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! Recognizing that the family is the constant in the child’s life, while the service systems and
personnel within those systems fluctuate. (This recognizes that “family” may have many
interpretations, but maintaining a child(ren)’s connection to his/her family holds significant
meaning in their lives).
• “Family includes biological families, foster families, concurrent planning families,
adoptive families, extended family relationships, kinship, etc.
• Adolescents involved in the Independent Living Program still have need of a family
experience and Family-Centered Principles work at assisting maturing youth to
identify valuable connective relationships in their life and to build the inner capacity
for developing healthy relationships as they reach adulthood.
! Facilitating family/professional collaboration at all levels of well-being
! Recognizing and respecting the racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, special needs and
socioeconomic diversity
! Recognizing family strengths and individuality and respecting different coping methods
! Sharing information between DCYF staff and parents on a continuing basis and in a
supportive manner
! Facilitating Family-to-family support and networking. (This includes parent support
organizations, interactions between concurrent planning families, foster families, adoptive
families, biological families and extended family relationships.)
! Understanding and incorporating the developmental needs of infants, children and
adolescents and their families into service delivery systems
! Designing accessible service delivery systems that are flexible, culturally competent and
responsive to family needs
23 Adapted from Family-Centered Principles found in What is family-centered care? (1990) [brochure]
Washington, DC: National Center for Family-Centered Care.
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