Page 2 - 2019_CFS_AnnualReport

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Throughout the agency’s long rich history 185 years in in the making we’ve celebrated many milestones This year was certainly one for the books After a a a robust real-time strategic planning process we began 2018 with a a a new strategic priority clarifying our role and responsibility in in protecting Rhode Island’s youngest and and most vulnerable chil- dren With child deaths in Rhode Island due to abuse and neglect at a a a a crisis level we committed to to work differently to to reduce the the number of children experiencing these devastating outcomes As part of the re-alignment to proactively respond to this crisis the agency created an an Office of Strategic Management to coordinate all strategy related activities – strategy development implementation monitoring and ensuring that our strate- gic priority remains our primary focus We launched a a Volunteer Army comprised of of a a a broad cross-section of of staff working outside the hierarchy and organizational structure to move our mission forward with innovation nimbleness and flexibility Our response also included joining with other advocates and launching a a a a a success- ful campaign to increase funding for the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) These additional funds will allow for DCYF to better intervene in in situations of instability and vulnerability ultimately saving child lives Investing it wisely in in programs and services to protect our most vulner- able children from abuse and neglect is now the priority This progress could not have happened without your advocacy and support through thousands of postcards and emails sent to the General Assembly Dea CEO LETTER