Chafee names choice for DCYF director

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee nominated Wednesday Janice DeFrances as director of the R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families, pending Senate confirmation.
The department is currently overseen by Interim Director Kevin Aucoin, whom Chafee appointed in January to replace Patricia Martinez.
DeFrances is president and CEO of Harmony Hill School, which provides residential, educational and specialized programs to boys and adolescents with social, emotional, behavioral and learning needs.
DeFrances manages a $9 million budget at Harmony Hill School in Glocester. The DCYF budget for the current fiscal year is about $230 million.
“I look forward to the opportunity and challenge of providing continued quality care and treatment for our children, youth and families in need,” DeFrances said in a statement. “I have a deep commitment to effective research-based practice, to professional development and training for staff, and to collaborate with all stakeholders in a high-quality system of care.”
Prior to her position at Harmony Hill, DeFrances served as principal of Narragansett Elementary School for 10 years, as the administrator of Special Services for the Narragansett School District, and as the principal of Quidnessett Elementary School in North Kingstown. She also served for eight years on the North Kingstown School Committee.