Rhode Island has taken an important step toward strengthening mental health outcomes for children and families by partnering with the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services. This collaboration reflects Rhode Island’s ongoing work building trauma-informed, family-centered systems of care that meet the mental health needs of children and youth impacted by child welfare and juvenile justice involvement.
“Engaging with the National Center, Rhode Island aims to strengthen its systems and workforce to enhance the state’s ability to deliver trauma-informed care, foster cross-system collaboration, and strengthen general understanding of adoption competence,” said Ellie Robinson, Director of the Children’s Behavioral Health System of Care at Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services. “The interagency Rhode Island team looks forward to embarking on this work in collaboration with families, youth, and key community partners.”
The partnership launched in May with an in-person event at the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center in Providence. The gathering brought together 24 community, government, and family leaders to build shared understanding around adoption competence and strategize ways to improve mental health outcomes for youth involved in child welfare. Participants in the event have since become members of Rhode Island’s new TA Steering Team, which began meeting in June to develop a statewide action plan.
Early listening sessions with families revealed clear priorities: equip providers and educators with tools to address trauma and adoption-related needs, simplify access to services before crises arise, and strengthen coordination across systems. Families also emphasized the value of parent-to-parent networks, resources responsive to family needs, and father engagement.
In the coming months, the National Center will support Rhode Island in delivering targeted workforce training, building easier service navigation tools, and expanding youth and family voice in systems change. The collaboration will also focus on public awareness efforts, workforce development, and cross-system alignment to ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time.
For more information about the National Center’s TA work, visit our website.
