RHODE ISLAND, August 11 - Published on Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will enhance community-based services and simplify how Rhode Island youth and families receive behavioral health support
PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) are proud to announce nearly $12 million in total federal grant funding over a four-year project period to support the continued expansion of the Rhode Island Children’s Behavioral Health System of Care. The grant, awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, includes funding for a new Single Point of Access for families seeking behavioral health services as well as a new Intensive Care Coordination Service to provide additional wraparound services.
“This grant provides vital resources to strengthen our state’s capacity to deliver needed behavioral health services for children and families,” said Governor Dan McKee.
The Rhode Island Children’s Behavioral Health System of Care is a framework designed to provide comprehensive, community-based mental health services that meet the needs of all children, youth, and families.
While Rhode Island has made great strides in building a robust array of behavioral health services under the McKee Administration, this grant will allow the state to establish a Single Point of Access to simplify the process of connecting families to appropriate services. Similarly, bringing on Intensive Care Coordination helps families successfully organize and manage complex behavioral health care needs in their home and in their community.
“Listening to our families is at the heart of building a real support system. By expanding these initiatives, we are giving families a clearer path to care and making sure young people get the right support directly where we know they do best, in their own communities,” said Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families Director Ashley Deckert, MSW, MA.
The first year of this four-year grant will be focused on planning as well as initial implementation. The initiative is led by Project Director Ellie Robinson alongside the System of Care grant team that includes strategic planning, evaluation, project management, and coordination roles.
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