R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-16-2: Federal funds for survey and planning.

Except where a single state agency is otherwise designated or established in accordance with any other state law, the department of health is designated to be the sole agency of the state to establish and administer any statewide plan for the construction, equipment, maintenance, or operation of any facility for the provision of care, treatment, diagnosis, rehabilitation, training, or related services, which plan is now or may be required as a condition to the eligibility for benefits under any federal act. The state department of health is also authorized to receive, administer, and expend any funds that may be available under any federal act or from any other source, public or private, for those purposes.