Families Together is a partnership between Providence Children’s Museum and RI Department of Children, Youth and Families, helping build and rebuild family relationships since 1992. An innovative visitation program for court-separated families in need of special guidance. Families Together offers a variety of visitation services.

Guided Family Visitation at Providence Children’s Museum
This program strengthens relationships and builds parenting skills at the state’s only hands-on museum designed for children and their families. During a series of Museum visits, parents and children play and learn together under the supportive guidance of the Museum’s family clinicians. Since visits occur when the Museum is open to the public, Families Together therapists observe parents and children in an active community setting.

The Program follows a strength-based, family focused model and recognizes the needs of children, parents, foster and residential caretakers as well as other providers.

• The program serves children ages two to eleven and parent(s) for whom reunification is the stated goal.
• The Museum’s hands-on exhibits are accessible to families of all backgrounds, abilities, and levels of education.
• Referrals are made by DCYF caseworkers; potential referrals are screened by the Families Together Consultant at the DCYF Region in which they are made.
• Visitation schedule follows the directives of the case plan; the program offers biweekly or weekly visits with a maximum of eighteen visits.
• Families Together clinicians facilitate all visits and provide feedback and support to parents, children, and referring case workers.
• Visits allow caseworkers to observe parents and children in a community setting.
• Transportation is provided by Families Together staff.
• Written and verbal reports on the family’s progress are provided to DCYF caseworkers as requested.
• Families completing the program are entitled to a Museum membership for one year at no cost.

Pre-Adoptive Visitation

Waiting children and potential adoptive families can get to know one another in the nurturing environment of Providence Children’s Museum. These visits must be arranged through a caseworker.

• Visits are guided by Families Together therapists
• Offers children and their pre-adoptive families a safe, fun, and meaningful visiting experience.
• Visits can be scheduled to meet the needs of the family.
• Adoptive families are entitled to a Museum membership for one year at no cost.

Visitation Consultation at DCYF Regional Offices

Families Together consultants, available to case workers and supervisors at all Regional Offices at least two days each week, provide the following services:

• Assist workers to document visits and develop effective visitation plans in keeping with case plan goals.
• Suggest strategies for successful visits, including visit activities and locations.
• Participate with caseworkers in meetings with families, at DCYF administrative reviews, and with other providers.
• Observe and participate in visits at the regional offices and in the community.
• Screen referrals to the Families Together Visitation Program at Providence Children’s Museum.

Visitation Training/Staff Development
Families Together Consultants work closely with the Child Welfare Institute staff to deliver a visitation training series for all Family Service Units and recently hired DCYF employees. For information call: 273-5437 ext. 132

To contact the Families Together Visitation Consultants:
Region I Heidi Brinig and Cheryl Lepre 528-3931
Region II Cheryl Lepre 528-3931
Region III and IV Paula Toland 294-5423, 721-2598