2015 -- H 6270

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LC002717

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING JUNE 2ND, 2015, AS "RHODE ISLAND CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL

HEALTH LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY DAY" AND HONORING THE PARENT SUPPORT

NETWORK OF RHODE ISLAND FOR THEIR PEER SUPPORT SERVICES AND TIRELESS

ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

     Introduced By: Representatives Lancia, Shekarchi, Diaz, Bennett, and Hull

     Date Introduced: June 02, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, June 2nd, 2015, will mark the official recognition of "Parent Support

Network of Rhode Island's Children's Behavioral Health Legislative Advocacy Day" in our state;

and

     WHEREAS, Parent Support Network of Rhode Island is a statewide charitable

organization run by and for parents and family caregivers of children, youth, and young adults

who are at risk of or who have serious emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges; and

     WHEREAS, On this day, it is the goal of Parent Support Network (PSN) to educate

legislators on the importance of children, youth, young adults and their caregivers receiving the

necessary behavioral health assessment and specialized treatment services and supports in the

least restrictive environment. A continuing challenge, faced by families trying to seek appropriate

behavioral health supports includes the risk of becoming formally involved in the family court

process. This involvement may result in the loss of the custodial rights of parents and caregivers

in the advocacy and support of the behavioral health care needs of their child; and

     WHEREAS, Currently, there are numerous parents of children who continue to visit

emergency rooms and who are "stuck" in psychiatric hospitals due to the lack of available

children's behavioral health services that are covered through health insurance plans. Health care

re-design in this area is necessary to decrease and ultimately prevent the need for repeated

lengthy hospitalization, and out-of-home and out-of-state placement of our children; and

     WHEREAS, Parent Support Network delivers peer support services throughout the year

to over 350 children, youth and young adults, and their parents, who are in need. Parent Support

Network Peer Mentors offer parents information and referral services; parent and youth support

groups; evidence based parent education classes; and assistance with securing basic necessities

such as housing, education, employment, and public benefits, including affordable health care,

food, clothing and utilities. Parent Support Network also provides targeted peer support services

to families and youth at risk or who are formally involved with the Department of Children,

Youth and Families. The work of PSN is essential in supporting families who face these unique

challenges within our system; and

     WHEREAS, Parent Support Network also advocates for policies and effective practices

that promote positive outcomes for children, youth, and young adults who face behavioral health

care challenges, while encouraging and supporting the development of family and youth

leadership and partnership on a community and state level; and

     WHEREAS, Parent Support Network of RI is a formal partner with the Rhode

Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the Rhode Island Department of Education.

PSN has appointed family leadership representation on the Governor's Council for Behavioral

Health; RI Healthcare Coverage Leadership Team; the RI Poverty Institute; Rhode Island Kids

Count; the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Medicaid Taskforce, and the Patient

Centered Medical Home-Kids Stakeholder Team. Parent Support Network is leading the way as a

model for peer support services in our state's efforts towards integration as it occurs between

health and behavioral health services; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims June 2nd of 2015, to be "Rhode Island Children's

Behavioral Health Legislative Advocacy Day"; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby recognizes and applauds Parent Support Network

of Rhode Island's many dedicated family and youth leaders and PSN leadership staff for

providing peer support services and for their continued advocacy on behalf of children, youth,

and young adults in need of behavioral health services and supports in Rhode Island; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Parent Support Network of Rhode Island

and the following state agencies: Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services;

Department of Children, Youth and Families; Rhode Island Department of Education;

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Department of Health; and the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities

and Hospitals.

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LC002717

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