PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The state is teaching about 200 families how to care for foster children.
The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families is holding a foster care recruitment this weekend at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The event concludes Sunday.
DCYF said in October that the state needs more foster families after a survey found a high number of teens being put into group homes and shelters.
The group Rhode Island Kids Count released numbers showing that a disproportionate percentage of 12- to 18-year-old children in the state are being placed into communal care.
The recruitment weekend includes orientation, training and support. Participants will complete a significant portion of their foster care training.
DCYF says the event is the first of its kind in Rhode Island.
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