Advocate: Group home cuts taking toll

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island's child advocate says several suicide attempts by youths at state group homes show that budget cuts, high turnover among staffers, lack of training and other problems are taking their toll.

But officials of the Department of Children, Youth and Families say that although the three recent suicide attempts were more extreme than usual, they are not unprecedented.

The Providence Journal reports that the third young person attempted suicide this year at a state-licensed group home as the state inspected all 75 group homes, residential treatment centers, transitional living programs and other facilities that house more than 400 children, adolescents and young adults.

Regina M. Costa, the state's child advocate, says the inspections did little to uncover problems. She says the programs are not addressing the clinical needs of the youngsters.