HOUSE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE 160TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHILD & FAMILY AND RECOGNIZING ITS IMPACT ACROSS RHODE ISLAND, the official text

H8538 2026 -- H 8538 ======== LC006422 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N CELEBRATING THE 160TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHILD & FAMILY AND RECOGNIZING ITS IMPACT ACROSS RHODE ISLAND Introduced By: Representatives Cortvriend, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Finkelman, Carson, Abney, Kennedy, Santucci, and Shallcross Smith Date Introduced: May 12, 2026 Referred To: House read and passed 1 WHEREAS, Child & Family was founded in 1866 by Ellen Townsend, establishing one 2 of Rhode Island’s oldest and most trusted human service organizations dedicated to supporting 3 children and families in need; and 4 WHEREAS, For 160 years, Child & Family has evolved to meet the changing needs of 5 Rhode Islanders, strengthening individuals, families, and communities through evidence-based 6 programs and compassionate care; and 7 WHEREAS, Child & Family provides a comprehensive continuum of services across the 8 lifespan, including early childhood education, foster care and adoption services, family support 9 and preservation programs, behavioral health services, supportive housing for families 10 experiencing homelessness, and services that enable older adults to age safely and independently; 11 and 12 WHEREAS, In 2025, Child & Family served more than 1,835 Rhode Islanders, 13 delivering critical support through programs such as the Sandpipers Early Learning Center, 14 Family Centered Treatment, Functional Family Therapy, foster care and youth transition services, 15 and aging well programs; and 16 WHEREAS, Child & Family provided 135 children with early education, supported 42 17 families with housing and stabilization services, and ensured access to essential resources for 18 individuals and families across the State; and 19 WHEREAS, Child & Family delivered more than 165,000 hours of care and services 1 statewide, reflecting its deep and sustained investment in strengthening Rhode Island 2 communities; and 3 WHEREAS, Through these programs, Child & Family helps children build strong 4 foundations for lifelong success, supports families through crisis and stabilization, provides safe 5 and supportive environments for youth in care, and promotes dignity and independence for older 6 adults; and 7 WHEREAS, The organization’s success is made possible through the dedication of its 8 staff, leadership, Board of Directors, volunteers, and community partners, whose collective 9 efforts have strengthened communities across the State; and 10 WHEREAS, In 2026, Child & Family proudly celebrates its 160th Anniversary, honoring 11 a legacy of service while continuing to advance innovative solutions that meet the needs of future 12 generations; now, therefore be it 13 RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 14 congratulates Child & Family on the occasion of its 160th Anniversary and recognizes its 15 longstanding commitment to improving the lives of Rhode Islanders; and be it further 16 RESOLVED, That this House hereby acknowledges Child & Family as a vital 17 community resource and commends its continued leadership in delivering impactful, evidence- 18 based services that strengthen children, families, and older adults across the State; and be it 19 further 20 RESOLVED, That this House expresses its sincere appreciation to the staff, volunteers, 21 board members, and community partners whose dedication continues to advance the mission of 22 Child & Family and create stronger, more resilient communities; and be it further 23 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 24 transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the leadership of Child & Family. ======== LC006422 ======== LC006422 - Page 2 of 2