Warwick Office Update Due to facility maintenance, the DHS regional office at 195 Buttonwoods Ave., Warwick, will only be open for document drop-offs until further notice. All planned appointments and customer interviews at the Warwick office have been rescheduled for other times, locations, or over the phone. The Customer Portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov), the mobile app, the Call Center (1-855-697-4347), and other regional offices remain available.
SUN Bucks Update Families who received SUN Bucks benefits for their eligible school-age child on July 1, 2024 have until October 30 to use the benefits on their EBT or SUN Bucks card(s). These benefits were issued over the summer, automatically with some exceptions, to eligible school-age children who would have received free or reduced priced lunch during the regular school year. These extra benefits will be removed from cards if they are not used by October 30. Additional information about SUN Bucks is available online here: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/supplemental-nutrition-10
Interpretation Services Available If you are seeking information about DHS programs and services in a language other than English, please be advised that interpretation services and/or interpreters are available to you at no cost. Persons with disabilities requiring another form of communication, such as auxiliary aids for hearing and the visually impaired, can inform DHS about their needs so appropriate accommodations can be made.
Child Care DHS's Office of Child Care supports the workforce in providing families with equitable access to high-quality, safe, affordable child care. Its Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides subsidies to offset the cost of child care to families who meet income eligibility guidelines and are employed at least 20 hours a week, earning at least Rhode Island’s minimum wage, or are participating in approved training or college programs. In addition, the office is home to the RI Head Start Collaboration Office. The office also handles child care licensing and funds a variety of initiatives to continuously improve the quality of early childhood care and education while supporting programs and providers in this process. Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) & Head Start Family eligibility and how to apply for CCAP, choosing a child care provider, Head Start information, the difference between Head Start and CCAP and more. Child Care Providers Provider applications, rate charts, licensing forms, background checks, COVID-19 guidance, workforce development opportunities and provider resources CCAP for Child Care Staff Pilot Quality Initiatives Child Care Health Consultation, PDG Pathways, BrightStars, RI Early Learning and Development Standards, SUCCESS and more Research, Reports, Surveys and News PDG reports, COVID-19 Impact Survey, BrightStars Think Tank Recommendations, and child care in the news Early Learning Centers The consumer website allows families to search for providers based on age group served, setting, quality levels, financial assistance, and accreditations. Consumer Statement 2024 – English Consumer Statement 2024 – Spanish Aggregate Data Report 2023 – English Aggregate Data Report 2023 – Spanish RISES Workforce Registry Information and training related to the Rhode Island Start Early System (RISES) Workforce Registry