Rhode Island Council of Resource Providers for Children, Youth, and Families
About Us
Those who treat and care for vulnerable children, youth, and families are most important.
RICORP is all about supporting those who treat and care for children, youth, and families with training, certification, and professional development. This includes newly hired direct care personnel, apprentices entering the CYCP occupation, as well as existing seasoned youth workers, supervisors, and program directors/managers. We will work with high schools, charter schools and technical schools to provide entry-level training. Other related mental health human service professionals are welcome. RICORP is a great resource for the work and services Child and Youth Care Practitioners provide.
RICORP - Brief History
In 1978 several children's providers came together to form the Group Home
Association:
1980 This group incorporated as a non-profit, the Rhode Island Council on
Residential Programs for Children, Youth, and Families.
1998 The Walker Trieschman Center (part of CWLA) proposes to RICORP
and RI DCYF the creation of the Rhode Island Training Academy.
2003 The name was changed to Rhode Island Council of Resource
Providers for Children, Youth, and Families Incorporated (RICORP).
2019 RICORP expanded membership to include individuals interested in
improving difficult life situations for troubled children, youth, and
their families. This was a major mission change, directing resources
to train and nationally certify Child and Youth Care Practitioners
(CYCP) along with profession awareness.
2024 The recognition of Child and Youth Care Practitioners (CYCP) as a
registered occupation by the US Dept. of Labor.
2025 The Rhode Island Training Academy (as proposed in 1998) is updated
with major revisions, conforming to current standards, .
Some responsibilities of the Board of Directors shall include:
a) To facilitate the updated purpose for which the RICORP was established.
b) To set RICORP policy and make the decisions for which RICORP was established.
c) To determine, monitor, and strengthen the quality of RICORP’s programs and services.
d) To ensure effective strategic planning: determine the vision, mission and
purpose of RICORP and develop long range plans.
e) To ensure that RICORP has adequate resources to carry out the mission.
f) To enhance RICORP's public standing, the importance of its mission, and reputation
for quality service as well as to approve the use of the RICORP’s good name in promotion
or public awareness activities.
g) To ensure and maintain the general legal and ethical integrity and accountability of the Board
as well as the adherence to specific, applicable, codes of ethics.
h. It’s all about workforce development, training and certification for those working with children
youth and families in residential and community settings.
RICORP Board:
Gene Cavaliere Board Chair gene@neassoc.com
401-568-6412
Sean Murphy Board Member fm@washparkcc.com
Frank Ekcles BA, CYC-P Board Member
Dr. Dale Curry, CYC-P Board Member
Eileen Hernandez Board Secretary eileenh@ricorp.org
Training Academy Steering Committee:
Gene Cavaliere MA, CYC-P Lead Trainer gene@neassoc.com. (401-568-6412)
Dr. Andrew Schneider Munoz Harvard/CWLA
Author: Adolescent Psychology in Today’s World
Norma Jean Tudino Trainer
Dr. Dale Curry, CYC-P Professor Emeritus – Kent State University
Dr. Deborah Getz, CYC-P Professor
Indiana University Department of Applied Science
School of Public Health
Frank Ekcles BA, CYC-P Executive Director
Academy for Competent Youth Work
College Station, TX