Advocacy organizations teach parents and families how to advocate for the education, health, and socio-economic well-being of their children and families.
Advocates in Action is a statewide self-advocacy group offers leadership training and self-advocacy materials.
Learn more at https://www.advocatesinaction.org.
Office of the Child Advocate is a legal office that advocates for particular children whose legal, civil and special rights in the Department of Children, Youth, and Families system and/or Family Court proceedings are not being met.
Learn more at https://childadvocate.ri.gov.
Office of the Mental Health Advocate is an independent statewide advocacy agency provides legal, investigative, and advocacy services to patients in psychiatric hospitals, residents of mental health group homes, clients of mental health centers, patients in forensic units, and persons receiving substance use treatment.
Learn more at https://osticc.org/resources-for-the-community/mental-health-advocate.
Patient Support Network of Rhode Island (PSN) is an organization that provides one-on-one technical assistance around education, mental health, the child welfare system, juvenile justice, and substance use. In addition, the organiztion runs a hotline, support groups, and training classes.
Learn more at https://psnri.org.
Disability Right Rhode Island is a center that provides free legal assistance for individuals and families of children with disabilities. Services include individual representation to protect rights or secure benefits and services, self-help information, educatoinal programs, and administrative and legal advocacy.
Learn more at https://drri.org.
Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) works with families to inform, educate, support, and empower them. RIPIN offers eleven programs and services to Rhode Island families with children, including families of children with special needs. RIPIN also has a call-in resource center.
Learn more at https://ripin.org
Don't forget---you need to keep yourself as healthy and as happy as possible to help your child. This means getting enough sleep, exercising, and having some fun. Find ways to give yourself a break, even if it's a five-minute period of meditation or lighting a candle and taking a bath. Also, remember to make time for your relationship with your significant other.
