RI Senate Creates Task Force on Child And Youth Services

The Rhode Island Senate has created a task force on the Department of Children, Youth and Families as the agency faces significant fiscal problems.

Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed announced the panel's formation Wednesday. Her office says it's in response to "continued challenges facing DCYF and the nonprofit networks that provide services to children in state care."

The Providence Journal has reported that two nonprofit providers serving nearly 2,000 children ended the fiscal year last month with millions of dollars in cost overruns.

The task force will meet into the fall to take testimony, including from a special advisory team appointed by Gov. Lincoln Chafee to assist the agency in addressing fiscal problems and renegotiating provider contracts.

Paiva Weed says the panel's aim is to provide accountability and oversight.