| R 342 |
| 2015 -- H 6270 Enacted 06/02/2015 |
| 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 |
| 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; |
| Department of Health; and the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities |
| and Hospitals. |
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| LC002717 |
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