§ 40-11-18. Children’s advocacy centers — Services — Requirements.
(a) Children’s advocacy centers shall provide the following services to children in Rhode Island:
(1) Operation of a child-appropriate or child-friendly facility that provides a comfortable, private setting that is both physically and psychologically safe for clients;
(2) Participation in a multidisciplinary team for response to child abuse allegations;
(3) Operation of a legal entity responsible for program and fiscal operations that has established and implemented basic sound administrative practices;
(4) Promotion of policies, practices, and procedures that are culturally competent and diverse;
(5) Conduct forensic interviews in a manner that is of a neutral, fact-finding nature and coordinated to avoid duplicative interviewing;
(6) Provide specialized medical evaluation and treatment made available to clients as part of the team response, either at the CAC or through coordination and referral with other specialized medical providers;
(7) Offer therapeutic intervention through specialized mental health services made available as part of the team response, either at the child advocacy center or through coordination and referral with other appropriate treatment providers;
(8) Offer victim support and advocacy as part of the team response, either at the child advocacy center or through coordination with other providers, throughout the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings;
(9) Conduct team discussions and provide information sharing regarding the investigation, case status, and services needed by the child and family are to occur on a routine basis;
(10) Develop and implement a system for monitoring case progress and tracking case outcomes for team components; and
(11) Shall establish a safe exchange location for children and families who have a parenting agreement or an order providing for visitation or custody of the children that require a safe exchange location.
(b) As used in this section, “cultural competency” means the capacity to function in more than one culture, requiring the ability to appreciate, understand, and interact with members of diverse populations within the local community.
History of Section.P.L. 2018, ch. 189, § 2; P.L. 2018, ch. 262, § 2.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 40-11 - Abused and Neglected Children
Section 40-11-2. - Definitions.
Section 40-11-3. - Duty to report — Deprivation of nutrition or medical treatment.
Section 40-11-3.1. - Duty to report death of child due to child abuse or neglect.
Section 40-11-3.2. - False reporting of child abuse and neglect.
Section 40-11-3.3. - Duty to report — Sexual abuse of a child in an educational program.
Section 40-11-4. - Immunity from liability.
Section 40-11-5. - Protective custody by physician or law enforcement officer.
Section 40-11-6. - Report by physicians and healthcare providers of abuse or neglect.
Section 40-11-6.1. - Penalty for failure to report or perform required act.
Section 40-11-7.1. - Family court proceedings.
Section 40-11-7.2. - Evidence.
Section 40-11-7.3. - Mediation of child protection matters.
Section 40-11-8. - Injury control unit.
Section 40-11-9. - Duties of law enforcement agency.
Section 40-11-10. - Use of physician’s report for petition for removal.
Section 40-11-11. - Abrogation of privileged communications.
Section 40-11-12. - Award of custody.
Section 40-11-12.1. - Family court review.
Section 40-11-12.2. - Permanency plan — Order of court.
Section 40-11-12.3. - Guardianship subsidy.
Section 40-11-12.4. - Restraining orders.
Section 40-11-13. - Confidentiality of reports and records — Penalty for disclosure.
Section 40-11-13.1. - Destruction of reports and records.
Section 40-11-14. - Right to representation in court proceedings.
Section 40-11-15. - Religious practices.
Section 40-11-16. - Severability.
Section 40-11-17. - Shaken-baby syndrome prevention initiative.
Section 40-11-18. - Children’s advocacy centers — Services — Requirements.