3 group homes on probation, 2 closed following investigation

Rhode Island Child Advocate Jennifer Griffith. File photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island officials have put three group homes on probation and closed two others following a scathing report detailing how the homes’ operator was treating troubled youths in its care.

The Boston Globe reports state officials made the announcement after an investigation released by the child advocate’s office last month showed little to no accounting for the services the operator had promised.

The nonprofit runs five residential homes in Providence. It has now stopped admitting youths into all of its group homes.

The group’s chief operating officer says it is working with state officials to correct problems and retrain staff.