MOBILIZERITrack the
repair
Lead story•MOBILIZE · Families, Child-Serving Organizations & Advocates•Rhode Island
Rhode Island review sets a six-month child-protection accountability test
Oversight report released August 31; status rechecked September 5, 2026
Rhode Island’s independent Office of the Child Advocate reviewed 30 fatalities and 11 near-fatalities involving young children in cases meeting statutory review criteria from 2019–26. The panel identified inconsistent CPS screening and investigations, workload pressures and missed prevention connections, then issued 76 recommendations for practice and system repair.
The accountability testThe panel asks DCYF for a public implementation report within six months, including timelines, barriers and recommendations it will not adopt. DCYF told WPRI it is reviewing the report and described oversight and training already underway; those are agency-reported steps, not independently measured completion. Watch by late February 2027 for the public response and measurable movement in screening consistency, caseloads and prevention-service access.
Why it mattersThe counts describe this review—not all children or current prevalence—and the report is not a law, adjudication or proof DCYF caused every incident. Rhode Island families can use 1-888-743-2659 for non-emergency family support and the separate 1-800-RI-CHILD hotline for suspected abuse or neglect. Advocates can track implementation without sharing case details.
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PROTECT · Parents, Childcare Providers & Healthcare•United States and Canada
Skip Hop recalls one Elmo teether model after eyes detach
Joint voluntary recall published September 3; rechecked September 5, 2026
Skip Hop, CPSC and Health Canada recalled the Baby Sesame Street Elmo Silicone Teether, model 9R263210. Its black pupil pieces can separate when the teether is frozen and become a choking hazard. Regulators describe four detachment reports across the two countries and no reported injuries when the recall was published.
Why it mattersCPSC and Health Canada list different estimated unit totals, so identify the affected product by model number 9R263210 on its red fabric tag—not a headline count. Stop using it and place it out of children’s reach. If frozen, let it thaw safely, then follow Skip Hop’s instructions before disposal to request the gift-card refund. Watch official pages for scope or remedy updates.
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PREVENT · Families, Schools & Community Leaders•Australia; selected ideas may help readers elsewhere
Australia’s Child Protection Week turns prevention messages into free tools
Campaign begins September 6; launch held September 4, 2026
National Child Protection Week runs September 6–12. NAPCAN offers free posters, activities, communications materials, pledges and webinars, while Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is offering primary-school virtual classrooms September 8–11 and a September 9 professional session on belonging and online vulnerability.
Why it mattersThis is an Australian awareness and learning campaign—not a law, reporting mandate or new benefit. Choose one age-appropriate resource or session and keep participation voluntary. Never invite public disclosure or use a child’s name, image or case details in a pledge or post. Readers elsewhere should use their own local safeguarding routes. Watch for the week’s new contextual-safeguarding resource and carry one practice forward after September 12.
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RESTORE · Post-Permanency Families & Child-Welfare Professionals•North Carolina
North Carolina’s statewide Success Coach support now reaches all counties
New evidence brief published September 4; availability rechecked September 5, 2026
North Carolina now offers voluntary, no-cost, family-driven in-home support across all 100 counties after reunification, guardianship, legal custody or adoption. Families may work with a coach for up to two years on goals such as crisis prevention, school advocacy, behavioral-health navigation and practical resource connections, and may return as needs change.
Why it mattersA new Casey Family Programs brief explains the model and an essential limit: earlier small studies were promising but could not prove Success Coach caused better outcomes, and a three-year statewide evaluation is still underway. Eligible families can use the private referral form or regional contacts on NCDHHS’s page. Watch for evidence on statewide results, rural access and consistency; the service is not available nationwide.
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EQUIP · Child-Serving Organizations, Tribes & Public Agencies•United States
Federal grant window is open for services to trafficked minors
Funding notice posted August 19; open status rechecked September 5, 2026
The Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime is accepting applications for projects that improve developmentally appropriate services for young people who began receiving help while under 18. OVC lists about $9.5 million in estimated funding, up to $950,000 per award and about 10 expected awards.
Why it mattersThis is a competitive notice—not an award or a service families can access today. Potential applicants should confirm eligibility and every requirement in the full notice, verify SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations, and protect survivor confidentiality. The Grants.gov step is due September 28 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern; JustGrants follows October 5 at 8:59 p.m. Eastern. Watch for amendments and later award notices before promising local availability.
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