Luis Hernandez:
Katelyn Medeiros is the state’s new Child Advocate. That means she’s responsible for ensuring the safety of all children in the custody of the state’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families. A recent report by the Office of the Child Advocate detailed abuse and negligence at St. Mary’s Home for Children in North Providence, a contractor with the DCYF that has since closed. Katelyn Medeiros joins me now to talk more about her plans to address these issues and others within our child welfare system. Katelyn, I really appreciate the time. Thank you.
Katelyn Medeiros:
Thank you for having me.
Hernandez:
I kind of explained a little bit about what your position is, but if you wouldn’t mind to elaborate a little bit more what the state Office of Child Advocate actually does.
Medeiros:
We function as the watchdog to DCYF. We are an independent state agency comprised right now, we have 13 people on staff and we oversee the best interests of any child who is open to DCYF in any capacity, maintaining those children and ensuring their educational rights there, ensuring that their medical and emotional behavioral health needs are all met timely and to the fullest extent. We are also tasked with overseeing any legislative or policy changes that may be impacting youth who are involved with DCYF as well.
Hernandez:
My understanding, though, is this: even though you were officially appointed Child Advocate earlier this year, you’ve actually been the interim Child Advocate now for a couple of years, right?
Medeiros:
Correct.
This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
This interview was conducted by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.
