The bill amends Section 42-72-36.3 of the General Laws concerning the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) by introducing new reporting requirements aimed at enhancing the residential-care system reform and rebalancing efforts. It mandates that the department submit annual reports showing progress in these areas. Additionally, by January 1, 2026, the department is required to submit a comprehensive report to the governor, the speaker of the house, and the president of the senate assessing its compliance with the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). This report will analyze the impact of evidence-based programs (EBPs) on high-risk families and their success in keeping children out of the foster care system.

The report shall include, but not be limited to: (1) a detailed account of the increase in the availability of EBPs to high-risk families, including the number of families served and a breakdown of the specific types of EBPs available; (2) the number of families identified as high risk for out-of-home placement prior to participation in an EBP who are no longer considered high risk following their participation, including any follow-up data on the continued stability of these families; (3) data on families that were reunified, comparing the time it took for reunification efforts to succeed for families that participated in EBPs funded through the FFPSA to those that did not have access to or did not participate in EBPs, as well as identifying any patterns or trends in the timing and success of reunifications between the two groups; and (4) any other information deemed relevant by the department in evaluating the success or effectiveness of EBPs associated with FFPSA. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
564: 42-72-36.3