Child & Family is a private, nonprofit organization working every day to help the most vulnerable children, families, and seniors across Rhode Island since 1866. 
Our mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and the communities in which they live by identifying needs and utilizing best practices. 

About
Child & Family

Our History

Our History

1866
1866

1866

The Civil War ends in 1865 and one year later the Home for Friendless Children opens its doors at 24 School Street, Newport, RI

1878
1878

1878

The Charity Organization Society of Newport is founded & is later renamed “Family Services Society” in 1946

1917
1917

1917

The Home issues its first appeal for funds during Christmas. 100 paper bags are distributed and 90 are returned, providing abundantly for the Home

1924
1924

1924

The Home establishes a Daycare for children of working mothers

1929
1929

1929

The Wall Street Crash of 1929, also known at Black Tuesday, ushers in the Great Depression along with 2,263 applications for assistance, an increase of 882 more than any year in the Home’s history

1932
1932

1932

“We plan that each child have at least a dime to spend.” (December Log)

1956
1956

1956

The Home for Friendless Children is renamed The Children’s Home of Newport

1960
1960

1960

Orphanages become obsolete nationwide and the Home transitions into a short-term Emergency Care Facility

1966
1966

1966

The Home celebrates its Centennial Anniversary

1968
1968

1968

The Home adds Counseling Services, becoming a “Case Work Agency”

1970
1970

1970

The Home and The Family Services Society merge to become Child & Family Services of Newport County (CFS).  CFS establishes its Elder Services program

1982

1982

CFS establishes a formal Volunteer program

1983

1983

CFS hosts the first annual Taste of Newport

1986

1986

CFS opens the Portsmouth Center, it’s first Residential Group Home for children

1988

1988

CFS constructs a second program and services site on Valley Road in Middletown, RI

1996
1996

1996

CFS opens Winslow Place, a shelter for homeless women & their children

2007
2007

2007

CFS rebrands to Child & Family

2009
2009

2009

Child & Family moves from its home of almost 145 years to the newly constructed multi-service Community Center in Middletown

2012
Foster Care page icon - color

2012

Child & Family is selected as one of two lead agencies in the State’s new System of Care for children & families and acquires Casey Family Services’ Foster Care program

2013

2013

Child & Family opens a second multi-service Community Center in Providence. Child & Family expands its Elder Services program to Providence

2015
planning

2015

Child & Family conducts Strategic Plan

2016
2016

2016

Child & Family commences its 150th Anniversary celebration

2020

2020 The Pandemic

March 13, 2020, the covid-19 Pandemic began. Many places closed to have staff shelter in place, but Child & Family remained open to continue to support the children and families in our care.

2020

2020 Sandpipers Early Learning Center Re-opens

June 1, 2020, Sandpipers Early Learning Center was one of the first early learning centers in the state of Rhode Island reopen their doors during the Covid-19 Pandemic to provide childcare for essential workers.

2022
Holiday Giving

2021 Child & Family celebrates its 155th Birthday

August 14, 2021 Child & Family celebrated their 155th Birthday with a soiree at Belle Mer on Goat Island in Newport, RI.

2022
Capture of the home page

2022 Child & Family launches a brand new website.

March 1, 2023, Child & Family launched a brand new website.

About Child & Family (est. 1866)

Child & Family supports resilient families, vulnerable children, and elders throughout Rhode Island. Family Preservation is an important goal of every program and service we provide.

We believe that individuals and communities thrive when supported by strong families, and that a community works best when it accepts responsibility for all of its members.

As one of the largest social service agencies in RI, we operate community engagement centers in Providence and Middletown. Our home-based and community-based programs bring services to individuals and families across RI.

Child & Family Programs