Rhode Island DCYF Director To Step Down

The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families will soon have a new person at its helm. Current Director Trista Piccola announced Wednesday that she will be stepping down, though she will remain in her position for several months to ensure a smooth transition.

Piccola said she is proud of everything that has been accomplished in her time with the department.

"I take great pride in DCYF’s accomplishments and its unwavering commitment to improving the services provided to Rhode Island’s most vulnerable children and families," Piccola said. "During my tenure, department-wide reforms have led to measurable and impactful successes, including dramatic declines in the number of youth living in congregate care, far more licensed foster families, and a more robust array of home and community-based services that have kept more children and youth safely at home with their families and in their communities."

Piccola has served as the department's director since January 2017. Since then, DCYF has seen a one-quarter increase in the number of licensed foster families as well as a historically low number of children in congregate care, which includes group homes, childcare institutions, residential treatment facilities and maternity homes.

"Recent investments in prevention initiatives, a focus on frontline staffing, and stronger policies and practices will positively impact children and families for years to come. There is much work left to do, but I am leaving the Department in a stronger place and on a path for continued progress," Piccola continued.

Governor Gina Raimondo praised Piccola's leadership.

"I'm grateful for Trista’s years of public service to Rhode Island children and families," Raimondo said. "Under her leadership, DCYF has worked hard to reduce the number of foster children living in congregate care, recruit loving foster families, and keep kids in their home communities whenever possible. Trista has laid a strong foundation that will enable us to build on our progress in the years ahead."

Piccola said she is stepping down to move to Arizona with her husband, who has accepted a new job there. At the same time she announced her departure, she said the department will be undergoing a complete audit by the Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families, with the intention of outlining the changes that will be needed over the coming years.

"Meaningful progress has been made under Director Piccola’s leadership as she has focused on prevention-based initiatives and high-quality community-based services. However, there is more work to be done," said Craig Gorden, the coalition's president. "An independent review of DCYF is a necessary and important next step in determining how the agency can most efficiently improve outcomes for the greatest number of children and families."

Piccola will remain in her position over the next few months to help smooth the transition. The new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Womazetta Jones, will lead the search for her replacement.