Adoption Rhode Island
Darlene Allen
Darlene is experienced child welfare professional who has dedicated her career to helping at –risk children and families. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Providence College and her Master of Science degree in Human Service Administration from the University of Massachusetts and a Certificate in Non Profit Leadership from the Harvard University, Kennedy School Executive Education program. For more than 30 years, Darlene has worked in both public and private organizations providing services to promote, safety, stability and permanency for children as well as advocating on a local and national level for improved child welfare programs, policies and practices.
Darlene is the CEO and Executive Director of Adoption Rhode Island, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding families for children in state care and providing an array of supportive services to children and families linked by foster care and adoption.
Darlene is a strong advocate for trauma –informed, adoption –competent services and is a consistent voice for laws and policies that best serve the unique needs and strengthen the contributions of the adoption and foster care community. Darlene has also served as a child welfare consultant for JBS, Inc and participated in numerous child and family service reviews as well as the unaccompanied children’s services.
Darlene is the Vice Chair of the Adoption Exchange Association, a Board member of the Voice For Adoption and a member of the National Family Builders Association. Darlene also serves as the Vice Chair of the Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families, a member of the Rhode Island Child Fatality Review team, and a mentor for the Nonprofit Leadership program at the Rhode Island Foundation. She has been recognized with a Congressional Angel in Adoption award for her commitment to children waiting for adoption and an award from the Attorney General’s office for her commitment to child abuse victims. She is an innovator, a leader and strong advocate.
