Advocates, nonprofit leaders ask state for more funding for children

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Child welfare advocates and leaders of nonprofits told a House committee Thursday that Rhode Island's child welfare system needs more funding for community services so it can reduce its reliance on costly residential treatment programs.

The plea comes as the leaders of two nonprofit networks responsible for serving more than 2,000 children in state care say they're running deficits because of the high number of youths in group homes and residential treatment programs.

The network leaders are asking state lawmakers for another $5 million over the next three years to expand foster care and other community-based services.