Rhode Island awarded $4M grant toward expanding access to mental health services

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Family Service of Rhode Island’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic was given a $4,000,000 grant toward mental health services for children and families.

At a press conference Friday morning, city and state leaders across Providence and Rhode Island gathered at the Family Services of Rhode Island offices to announce the grant and detail some of the ways the money will be used.

“This funding is an investment in the well-being of our community for years to come,” said Margaret Holland McDuff, chief executive officer. “Equitable access to mental health care and substance use supports are vital to our mission, and we are looking forward to expanding access to these services to our neighbors in need.”

The agency said the state is experiencing a mental health crisis moving away from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding comes at a time when the Ocean State does not have the capacity to keep up with the amount of people in need.

Mayor Brett Smiley said the funding will be used to help zero in on neighborhoods in Providence that require more attention and help these organizations provide aid to families in need.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation and RI Kids Count, 20% of adults and 33% of children in Rhode Island could not access the mental health treatment that they needed last year.

The funding was awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The clinic serves about 1.5 million people who struggle with mental health and substance abuse.