This resolution proposes the creation of a special legislative commission to explore the feasibility of using Federal Title IV-E funds to support and enhance the enrollment and graduation of social work students at Rhode Island College (RIC). The commission would consist of thirteen members, including representatives from the House of Representatives, SEIU Local 580, Rhode Island College, the Governor's office, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), and other relevant state departments. The commission's goal is to address the critical need for trained social workers to serve in Rhode Island's DCYF by leveraging federal funds to attract and retain students in the field of social work.
The commission is tasked with organizing promptly after the resolution's passage, selecting a chairperson, and conducting a study on the specified topic. Members will serve without compensation and will have access to necessary information from state departments and agencies to facilitate their work. The commission is expected to provide suitable quarters for its operation and must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the House of Representatives by February 11, 2025. The commission will dissolve on April 9, 2025.