ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the case research on foster care in the state of Rhode Island. Rhode Island is one of the two smaller states and falls into the category of a weaker case state, according to the 2003 federal performance measures. Rhode Island's Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is responsible for foster care administration. In Rhode Island, the courts and the agency work against each other by wrestling over control of case outcomes. It is defined as one of the two weaker case states, would have less of an emphasis on building community partners, integrating the advice of mentors, providing leadership from public managers, and cultivating relationships with the federal government. In Rhode Island, the governor does not support foster care improvements, the courts and state are dueling, foster care agencies have little respect for the state, and the largest foster care community partner continuously fights with the state in order to initiate improvements.
