Marty Sinnott is president and CEO of Child & Family, a private, nonprofit organization to help the most vulnerable children, families and seniors across Rhode Island.
What happened at St. Mary’s Home for Children could happen again if systems changes are not made. Child & Family has as broad an array of services for youth and families involved in the child welfare system as any organization in the state. Our positive program outcomes for youth and families lead the sector.
Although St. Mary’s must accept the final responsibility for such serious lapses in care and gross mismanagement, other entities in our child welfare system must evaluate their own culpability in what has occurred. The problems at St. Mary’s did not evolve in a vacuum. Frankly, the undercurrents that created the environment that ultimately turned toxic are the same undercurrents that any provider that contracts with DCYF for the care of acute youth must contend with. The Child Advocate’s report had 34 recommendations directed at St. Mary’s. An additional 31 recommendations were made at DCYF.