Share your voice. Shape what comes next.
Opportunities for parents, caregivers, youth, and families with lived experience to help strengthen behavioral health and family support systems in Rhode Island.
Participation happens at your pace—there is no pressure to lead.
From support to voice
Many people first connect with us through peer support or family resources. For some, the next step is sharing lived experience to help improve systems, strengthen programs, and support other families.
Why prevention and advocacy matter together
Child abuse prevention starts with keeping families out of crisis—not by labeling families, but by ensuring they have the support they need early and consistently.
When families are supported, children and communities are safer, stronger, and more stable.
Ways to get involved
Family Engagement Workgroup for Children’s Behavioral Health
Parents and caregivers working together to improve children’s behavioral health systems through lived experience and collaboration.
RI Fatherhood Initiative (RIFI)
Fathers and male caregivers engaging in peer leadership, connection, and fatherhood-centered systems improvement.
Birth Parent Advisory Board
Birth parents using lived experience to guide child welfare programs, strengthen support systems, and elevate family voice.
Youth MOVE RI
Youth-led leadership focused on transforming mental health systems through lived experience and youth voice.
What participation can look like
Engagement may include:
sharing lived experience perspectives
attending advisory meetings or groups
helping shape programs and supports
contributing feedback on family systems
connecting with others doing similar work
Not ready yet? That’s okay.
Many people choose to engage after first receiving support or joining a group. There is no requirement to participate in advocacy or leadership to access support.
Why lived experience matters
Families, youth, and caregivers bring insights that strengthen programs, improve systems, and help create more responsive support for others in Rhode Island.
