§ 42-72-4. Qualifications and duties of director.
(a) The director shall meet the following minimum qualifications:
(1) Hold a master’s degree in social work or a closely related field, and have demonstrated experience in child welfare and/or children’s mental health, and/or juvenile justice; and
(2) Have at least five (5) years of increasing responsibility in administering programs for children.
(b) The director’s duties include, but are not limited to:
(1) Administration and direction of the operation of the department;
(2) Examination of programs, services, and plans for children for the purpose of identifying duplications, inefficiencies, effectiveness of programs, resources and unmet needs;
(3) Securing and analysis of departmental plans and budget requests affecting children’s programs and services;
(4) Review of federal funds utilized and available to the state for children’s programs and services;
(5) Collation of items in the governor’s budget related to programs and services for children and issuance of impact statements;
(6) Formulation of recommendations to the governor and other appropriate department heads on planning and expenditures for children’s programs and services;
(7) Liaison with community child advocacy groups, including parents, to receive advice on resources, needs and priorities in the different localities;
(8) Provide effective public information on children’s services in Rhode Island;
(9) Advise the legislature on the needs of children and their families;
(10) Establish a central registry for the purpose of reporting, collating, receiving, and administering reports involving children;
(11) Liaison with other state departments, agencies, local governments, and private providers of services to coordinate services and maximize resources in developing programs;
(12) Formulation of rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter;
(13) Preparation of an annual report and state plan to be sent to the governor and the general assembly;
(14) Provision or arrangement for the provision of suitable treatment, rehabilitation, and care for each child under the director’s supervision by pursuing the least restrictive placement and, wherever feasible, by effectuating community placements in Rhode Island;
(15) The director shall provide for a case management information system that includes data regarding, but not limited to, client entry, screening, client’s needs assessment, development of a client service plan, services provision, evaluation, review and monitoring of client progress, and client exit from the system. In addition, the director shall establish a centralized case management unit to receive all service plans and using any additional expertise as may be required, will review, monitor, evaluate, endorse, and/or modify as may be appropriate, each client service plan;
(16) Administer in a coordinated and integrated manner all institutions and facilities which are or may come under the jurisdiction of the department; and
(17) Develop a comprehensive program for the prevention of problems of children and provide a flexible, innovative, and effective program for the placement, care, and treatment of children committed by any court to the department, transferred to the department by other departments, or voluntarily admitted to the department.
History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 248, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 428, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 342, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 142, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 441, § 33.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 42 - State Affairs and Government
Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families
Section 42-72-1. - Establishment of department — Director.
Section 42-72-2. - Declaration of policy.
Section 42-72-3. - Definitions.
Section 42-72-4. - Qualifications and duties of director.
Section 42-72-5. - Powers and scope of activities.
Section 42-72-5.1. - Adoption of children placed under foster care.
Section 42-72-5.2. - Development of a continuum of children’s behavioral health programs.
Section 42-72-5.3. - Accreditation.
Section 42-72-6. - Deputies and administrators.
Section 42-72-7. - Central registry.
Section 42-72-8. - Confidentiality of records.
Section 42-72-9. - Regional service centers.
Section 42-72-10. - Development of service plan.
Section 42-72-11. - Protective services.
Section 42-72-13. - Liability for support of committed children.
Section 42-72-14. - Voluntary admissions.
Section 42-72-15. - Children’s bill of rights.
Section 42-72-16. - Transfer of powers from department of human services.
Section 42-72-17. - Transfer of functions from department of corrections.
Section 42-72-17.1. - Location of facilities.
Section 42-72-19. - Transfer of functions from department of community affairs.
Section 42-72-20. - Transfer determinations.
Section 42-72-21. - Continuity of administrative functions.
Section 42-72-22. - Reorganization within department.
Section 42-72-23. - Preservation of rights and remedies.
Section 42-72-25. - Relations with other governmental agencies.
Section 42-72-26. - Assumption of duties.
Section 42-72-27. - Liberal construction.
Section 42-72-28. - Severability.
Section 42-72-29. - Appropriation for expenses.
Section 42-72-29.1. - Annual increases for children’s residential programs.
Section 42-72-30. - Family and children trust program.
Section 42-72-31. - Judge Angelo G. Rossi Memorial Building.
Section 42-72-33. - Youth diversion program.
Section 42-72-34. - Withholding services.
Section 42-72-35. - Change of title and name.
Section 42-72-36. - Residential placement capacity.
Section 42-72-36.1. - System reform and rebalancing goal.
Section 42-72-36.2. - Recommendations as to allocation of resources.