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Who We Are

Mission & History

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 recovery community centers in Newport County and Washington County funded by, RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH). We contract with the RI Department of Health to deliver statewide peer recovery street outreach services in opioid hot spots across the state. Learn more about our Peer Recovery & Outreach services.

Just recently we were awarded a 4-year Federal Grant with Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), to expand the knowledge and skills of certified peer recovery specialist workforce to specialize in working with pregnant women and parents of children impacted by opioid addiction and involved family members and guardians. Learn more about our Family Support for Substance Use services.

Our Impact This Year

  • Children & Families Helped

    675

  • Peers Trained

    274

  • Funds Raised

    $103,000

  • Recoverees Supported

    1200

© 2024 Parent Support Network of Rhode Island

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