Civil rights and advocacy groups announce lawsuit against DCYF Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island has announced a lawsuit against the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families for allegedly denying children housing and “inappropriately institutionalizing them” instead.

According to the group, DCYF allegedly denied legally required homes and mental health care services for Medicaid-eligible children.

The lawsuit also alleges children were sent out to Virginia or Idaho for housing instead of here in the Ocean State.

The ACLU also cited a Department of Justice investigation that found children with behavioral needs in the state were being over-hospitalized.

The ACLU joined Disability Rights and Children’s Rights for a zoom press conference this morning to discuss the lawsuit.

ABC6 has reached out to DCYF for comment, as well at the Rhode Island Department of Human Services but have not heard back.