As 2020 comes to a close we’re left asking, how do we make sense of this year like no other? We turned to Rhode Island artists for help answering this question, and 35 generously shared their work with us. Come on in and see what you find. Enter the gallery ➔
Sofia Rudin
Posted inArticle, Politics
Testing Election Returns
National Results RI Statewide Results MA Statewide Results RI House + Senate Races To Watch
Posted inArticle, Health
RI Child Advocate Calls For Changes At 4 Group Homes
Rhode Island’s Department of Children Youth and Families is investigating a report of poor conditions at four group homes in Providence.
Posted inArticle, Health
RI DCYF Requests Budget Increase, Following Years Of Overspending
Rhode Island’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is requesting that its budget increase from $229.8 million in the current fiscal year to $266.9 million in fiscal year 2021, in what leaders say is an effort to create stability at the department. DCYF is also requesting an additional $22.4 million dollars in general revenue […]
Posted inArticle, Health
Living In Limbo: Foster Families And Their Stories
Every year in Rhode Island, about 1,200 kids are removed from their homes by the state’s Department of Children, Youth and Families. We typically only hear about their experiences when something goes terribly wrong. As Rhode Island searches for a new DCYF director, The Public’s Radio is takes a deeper look at what’s at stake in our series, Living In Limbo: Foster Families And Their Stories.
Posted inArticle, Health
Amelia Is Embracing Life On Her Own, As She Ages Out Of Foster Care
Youth aging out of foster care enter adulthood without the family support that many young adults rely on. Over the past two days we’ve introduced you to Amelia, as she moved out of her last foster home and into her own apartment. It hasn’t been easy for her. But in this audio diary, she shares how she is learning to get through each day.
Posted inArticle, Health
For Youth Aging Out Of Foster Care, RI’s Voluntary Extension Of Care Program Aims To Ease Transition To Independence
Imagine you’re about to turn 18. You’ve been living in a group home, or with a foster family. But now, you’re faced with finding a place to live and supporting yourself for the first time. Youth in this position are at a high risk of becoming homeless or incarcerated. Often they struggle to find a job or stay in school.
Last year, Rhode Island’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families began allowing youth to stay in state care until they’re 21. Currently, there are about 80 young adults enrolled in the Voluntary Extension Of Care program. Mike Burk runs this program, and he joined reporter Sofia Rudin to talk about how the first year has gone.
Posted inArticle, Health
Leaving Foster Care, Amelia’s First Nights Living On Her Own Are “A Real Struggle”
About a hundred young people age out of foster care in Rhode Island every year. They’re on their own, without the family support that many young adults depend on. Yesterday we introduced you to Amelia as part of our series, Living In Limbo. In this audio diary, she reflects on her first days in her own apartment.
Posted inArticle, Health
“This Is A Very New Chapter Of My Life”: Amelia Prepares To Leave Her Last Foster Home
Amelia entered foster care when she was just starting high school. She lived in a group home, and moved through several foster homes. But like many teenagers in Rhode Island’s child welfare system, none of these placements became permanent. At 19, she’s now faced with living on her own for the first time.