Our Mission & History
We are a group of parents, family members, transition age youth, and adults with behavioral health lived experience who are committed to supporting and assisting peers and working with statewide and national partners to empower children, youth, families and individuals through dynamic supports, education, and advocacy to prevent abuse and neglect, reduce disparities, and progress towards universal health, wellness, and recovery.
PSN started in 1986, as a group of parents with children experiencing mental health challenges to provide community support and peer-based services for families with children involved in special education, child welfare, and juvenile justice. In 2015, PSN expanded to work to represent adults who have experienced mental health and substance use challenges working towards or in recovery.
To meet the needs of those we serve along with creating recovery-friendly employment opportunities, we are delivering dual certification training for peer recovery specialists and community health workers and we are operating recovery community centers in Newport County and Washington County. We honor diversity and we are committed to reducing disparities and promoting culturally linguistically appropriate services and health equity.
Child & Family Program
We work with parents and family caregivers who have children and youth at risk or who have serious emotional, behavioral and mental health needs. We are the Rhode Island Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. We are statewide family network funded by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). We are contracted by the RI Department of Education and RI Department of Children, Youth & Families. Learn more about our Child & Family Support services.
Peer Recovery Program
Our peer recovery program is committed to building a strong workforce of individuals and family members in recovery to work with adults who are in recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges. We provide certified peer recovery specialist and community health worker specialty workforce development training and federally registered apprenticeship opportunities. We operate a community center in Washington County.
