Family Resources

The following are family resources that may be helpful for families, those in CCAP and others. 

Need food assistance? Our Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a resource for eligible families. 

Family Violence Option Advocacy Program assists DHS customers who are victims/survivors of domestic violence.

The Community Action Program (CAP) agencies throughout Rhode Island can help with basic & emergency needs, counseling, employment, education, financial services, health and DHS' energy assistance and weatherization programs. 

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services can help you learn healthy choices and lifestyles, support with breastfeeding, screen for health, growth and development and more. 

The Rhode Island Children's Cabinet website has a multitude of prenatal to pre-K resources to keep RI kids strong.

Head Start services provide high-quality learning opportunities at no cost to children birth to age 5, providing positive educational and health outcomes for families and their children.

Early Intervention promotes the growth and development of infants and toddlers who have a developmental disability or delay in one or more areas, helping ensure all children are able to develop to their fullest potential.

The Child Outreach Screening Program serves as a vehicle for screening children ages 3- 5, prior to kindergarten entry, providing a first step to identifying children who may have a disability or developmental delay requiring intervention.

RI Pre-K RI Pre-K provides free, high-quality Pre-K education to 4-year-old children through the state's lottery system, which typically opens for applications in each spring. An interest form for the 2024-2025 school year is available here.

Learn about DHS' initiatives to support and ensure quality child care here.

Want to know how a child care provider becomes licensed? Go here.