Children and Family Welfare
are increasingly being held accountable for program outcomes.
This phenomenon represents a fundamental change in the approach
to accountability in the public sector in the State of Rhode
Oversight staffs continue to view accountability in the
context of implementation, as opposed to the quantity of
outcomes. Elected officials, however, are increasingly relying
on outcomes as a means of holding accountable the public
administrators in the Department of Children and Family Welfare.
The Department of Children and Family Welfare is charged
with the protection of all children residing within the State of
Rhode Island, and with the promotion of the stability and
integrity of family units within the state. Where possible, the
Department of Children and Family Welfare is expected to
accomplish these goals in concert with one another. In instances
where the two goals clash, however, priority is expected to be
given by the department to the protection of children over the
maintenance of family stability and integrity.
On a general level, the major client populations of the
Department of Children and Family Welfare include all persons
under the age of 16 years residing within the State of Rhode
P8 à4 ŠIsland, and all family units residing within the state. On a
working level, however, the major client populations of the
department include all persons under the age of 16 years residing
within the State of Rhode Island, and all family units residing
within the state who are classified as at-risk. An at-risk
classification may, at times, be made on the basis of ethnic or
racial background, or, at times, may be made on the basis of
socioeconomic criteria. Importantly, however, the at-risk
classification is most re...