Jennifer Griffith to take on 'extreme responsibility to look out' for R.I. kids

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Newly confirmed child advocate Jennifer Griffith said under her tenure the office responsible for acting as a watchdog over the state's troubled child welfare system will investigate every time a child dies in state care.

"I'm charged with an extreme responsibility to look out for children," Griffith said. "I think litigation is a last resort ... one I would not be afraid to use if I had to. But I'm here to work together to achieve common goals with the other departments first."

Griffith, who has spent 10 years as an attorney with Rhode Island Legal Services, received unanimous Senate approval on Thursday for a five-year term with an annual salary of $92,870. The advocate has the authority to investigate any time a child dies in state care and can issue recommendations the state Department of Children, Youth and Families.

Her confirmation hearing took place against the backdrop of a controversial report released last week revealing more than 320 children in the state are living in unlicensed foster homes. Roughly 130 foster homes hosting children have been unlicensed for more than six months in violation of state law.

"We want to make a real difference ... in a particular way to those who need us the most. We know, especially based on some information we've all reviewed in a recent report that those children in our care need a voice," Sen. William J. Conley Jr. said. "Today is a real opportunity for us to give them that voice they need."

The panel that produced last week's report was convened by outgoing child advocate Regina M. Costa to investigate the deaths of multiple children who died last year, including two infants in unlicensed foster homes. Costa recently said through most of her tenure she didn't believe an investigation into each death was needed, but she convened the panel in light of a number of deaths in a short time-frame.

On Tuesday, the DCYF confirmed that it is investigating yet another infant who died March 2 in Warwick.

Police notified the agency that a 5-month-old girl, whose name was not released, was found unresponsive in a crib. Kerri White, a spokeswoman the DCYF, said the child was not currently in state care.

Asked why the agency was notified, White said state law requires a death be reported when there is "suspicion that the child died as a result of abuse or neglect." Preliminary reviews did not indicate such, but an investigation remains open. A cause of death is pending.

Citing confidentiality, the department would not say whether the family had been involved with the DCYF or whether there were other children in the home who had been in state care.

Regarding the report issued last week, Griffith, whose legal background has included work in domestic violence, custody, divorce, and abuse and neglect cases, said she she has reviewed the report and plans to meet individually with each member of Costa's review panel to find out what they learned and specifically what questions were asked.

As for the hundreds of unlicensed foster homes in the state, Griffith said she was aware of the issue and is concerned.

"Being in court I would hear people mention that homes were unlicensed," she said. "I'm looking to work with the DCYF management and with my office to see how we can ... lower that number of licensing problems."

During her confirmation hearing, Griffith was described by colleagues and supervisors as enthusiastic, innovative and a person of incredible empathy.

Sen. Erin Lynch Prata, also an attorney, described Griffith as a good friend. She said Griffith understands "what is at stake" and has made it clear that she intends to act, not wait for a crisis.

"Not only is Jen qualified with her experience, she's ready to do this. She's ready to be aggressive," Lynch Prata, D-Warwick, said. "Most importantly, she knows how important it is for there to be somebody watching and making sure the state performs [its] responsibility."

Sen. Frank Lombardi, D-Cranston, highlighted the importance of the role.

"We've heard about cooler and warmer, and warmer and cooler, and everything else in between -- everything negative about Rhode Island. I think today we're doing something very positive," Lombardi said. "We are entrusting in you the welfare of children."

jbogdan@providencejournal.com

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On Twitter: @JenniferBogdan