Proposed Rules, Regulations & Upcoming Hearings

The following proposed rules, regulations and State plans are being considered for the named DHS programs and services. Please find more information, such as public hearing notices, when appropriate, and summaries of changes. 

Proposed Adoption of Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the following DHS State Plan: 2022 Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). 

A public hearing conducted by DHS will be held to consider the proposed plan on Monday, May 2, 2022 at 10:00 AM at DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston, RI 02920. It will be held in the West Wing Conference Room on the first floor (Room #110).   Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Friday, April 29, 2022 to Julie Capobianco, WAP Program Manager, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston RI 02920, or by emailing the testimony to julie.capobianco@dhs.ri.gov

The hearing will begin at 10:00 A.M. and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 12:00 P.M., whichever comes first. The DHS Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be make at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing date.

Proposed Amendments to Rhode Island Works Rules and Regulations

In accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, the Department of Human Services is advertising the following proposed and amended DHS rule:

RICR Title 218 – Rhode Island Department of Human Services 

Chapter 20 – Individual and Family Support Programs 

Part 2 – Rhode Island Works Program Rules and Regulations 

This rule is being amended in compliance with State and Federal law and good practice. The proposed changes to this Rule are contained in the Notice to Interested Parties, the Public Notice, and the Proposed Rhode Island Works Rules and Regulations. Effective December 6, 2021, the Department has posted this Amendment for public comment. Data, views or written comments will be accepted throughout the comment period or until January 5, 2022.

Proposed Adoption of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the State Plan for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) which is funded through the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

This proposed State Plan is accessible below or available in hard copy upon request by calling (401) 462-1669. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plan on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 10:00AM at DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston, RI 02920. It will be held in the West Wing Conference Room on the first floor (Room #110). Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Wednesday, August 25, 2021 to Frederick Sneesby, Social Services Block Grant Administrator, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston RI 02920, or by emailing the testimony to frederick.sneesby@dhs.ri.gov.

The hearing will begin at 10:00 AM and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 11:00 AM, whichever comes first. The DHS Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be made at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing date.

Proposed Adoption of Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35 and 42 USC 9008, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the following DHS State Plan: 2022 Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). A public hearing conducted by DHS will be held to consider the proposed plan on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 11:00 AM at DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston, RI 02920. It will be held in the West Wing Conference Room on the first floor (Room #110).   Persons wishing to testify may do so by signing up at the hearing or by submitting written testimony by Wednesday, August 25, 2021 to Frederick Sneesby, Social Services Block Grant Administrator, Department of Human Services, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston RI 02920, or by emailing the testimony to frederick.sneesby@dhs.ri.gov.

The hearing will begin at 11:00 A.M. and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 12:00 noon, whichever comes first. The DHS Louis Pasteur Building is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be make at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing date.

Proposed Adoption of 2022 Low Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) State Plan

In accordance to Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the State Plan for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Block Grant that is funded through the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

This proposed State Plan is accessible below or available in hard copy upon request by calling (401) 462-6424. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plan on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 1:00 PM in the West Wing Conference Room at DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston, RI 02920. Anyone wishing to testify may do so by attending the meeting.

You may submit written testimony by Monday, August 16, 2021 to Deirdre Weedon via mail to DHS, Louis Pasteur Building, 25 Howard Avenue, Building #57, Cranston RI 02920 or by email deirdre.weedon@dhs.ri.gov.

The hearing will begin at 1:00 PM and will conclude when the last speaker finishes testimony or at 2:30 PM, whichever comes first. DHS is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals with hearing impairments may request an interpreter’s presence by calling 711 or RI Relay at 1-800-745-6575 (Voice) or 1-800-745-5555 (TTY). Requests for this service must be made at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing date.

Public Notice of Proposed DHS State Plan

In accordance Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 42-35 and 42 USC 9008, notice is hereby given that the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the following DHS State Plan:

CCDF 2022-24 State Plan

The Child Care Development Fund Grant is funded through the Administration for Children and Families. The CCDF State Plan serves as Rhode Island’s application for CCDF funds by providing a description of, and assurance about, the state’s child care program (CCAP) and all services available to eligible families. The CCDF program also provides funding to enhance the quality of child care for all children.

In the development of this State Plan, consideration was given to the following: (1) alternative approaches; and (2) overlap or duplication with other statutory and regulatory provisions. No alternative approach or duplication or overlap was identified based upon available information. This proposed plan is accessible below or available in hard copy upon request by calling (401) 462-1669 or RI Relay by dialing 711.

A remote public hearing to consider the proposed CCDF 2022-24 State Plan was held on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 via a Zoom meeting.