R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72-9

There shall be established as many regional or local service centers as may be deemed necessary by the director. Factors to be included in the determination are population density, travel time, and degree of correspondence to the geographic jurisdictions of other agencies. Each designated regional service center shall have an intake service capacity, child protective service capacity, and shall have the responsibility of responding to requests for information, assistance, and investigation of complaints initiated within its geographic jurisdiction.