The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities, and in Rhode Island, those opportunities include expanded mental health services for children and families. Thanks to the state’s selection for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) federal program, Newport Mental Health is adding to its programs, increasing the comprehensive, integrated care that ensures children and teens in Newport County have access to the help they need when they need it most. From therapy and crisis intervention to family support, these services are designed to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people and their caregivers.
“Access to mental health services is not just a convenience; it’s a critical need,” says David Boscia, Chief Clinical Officer at Newport Mental Health. “Children in Newport County, and statewide, can’t wait for access – it’s needed in real time, which is what we do as a CCBHC. Whether it’s providing support and monitoring for vulnerable children and youth utilizing our Zero Suicide program or getting them into recovery from substance use, meeting their needs will greatly improve not only children’s mental health; this investment in mental health care will improve the well-being and productivity of all individuals, families, and communities.”
“Our children have been seeing their counselors at Newport Mental Health since the end of May,” shares a parent of two young clients. “We have been so pleased with the care and help they receive. There has been an immense difference in the way our children communicate with us, which has been wonderful.”
Newport Mental Health is committed to meeting families and children where they are, addressing their unique needs. This takes many forms, including removing barriers to care, such as offering walk-in hours, school-based services, home-based services, and tailoring support plans to match the emotional, cultural, and developmental needs of each child and family.
“We have gone through a lot in the past 18 months, and my daughter’s counselor has been amazing,” writes another parent. “My daughter feels like she can talk and trust her, which is huge. I’ve noticed that my communication with my daughter has also improved because of the time she’s spent with her counselor. I can’t thank Newport Mental Health enough for the work they do.”
Recognizing the Signs
Children may show they’re struggling in subtle ways. They might seem more irritable, withdraw from social activities, or show changes in appetite, grades, or sleep patterns. “Any unexplained change in behavior is a reason to give us a call,” says Stephanie Lujan Rickerman, division director of children’s services at Newport Mental Health. “We’ll help you figure it out.”
Often, teachers and school counselors are the first to notice these signs. Newport Mental Health counselors are available to provide support to all the schools in Newport County, responding 24/7 to all behavioral health calls. In the Middletown and Portsmouth schools, we provide vital on-site support. “Parents or teachers can request counseling for students,” says Rickerman. “After an initial assessment in our offices, the counselor meets with the child at school, a space where they feel safe and supported. This approach helps them learn healthy coping strategies they can use in the classroom and beyond.”
Help Takes Many Forms
As a CCBHC, Newport Mental Health is responsible for the behavioral health needs of all those who live, work, and are educated in Newport County. We take this responsibility very seriously and look forward to growing collaborations with our communities and schools to support the development of healthy children and families. “There’s a lot of trauma,” says Rickerman about the current state of children’s mental health. “In order to break the cycle, we work intensively with both the caregiver and the child, engaging the family as active participants.” In addition to counseling at our offices and the school-based services, Newport Mental Health offers programs to address all levels of need.
Healthy Transitions: This program supports adolescents and young adults (ages 15-26) who have experienced a first episode of a mental health condition or are at risk of developing a serious mental illness or substance use disorder. Services include therapy, psychiatry, case management, nursing care, and support to help them stay in school or retain employment.
Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Services (IICAPS): Designed for children at risk of psychiatric hospitalization or who are transitioning out of institutional care, this program focuses on four key areas: the child, the family, school, and community. It requires active involvement from parents or caregivers to support lasting change.
Substance Use Support: Addressing issues like teen vaping and marijuana use, Newport Mental Health provides targeted interventions to help young people and their families break harmful cycles and build healthier futures.
What to Expect
Every child’s journey begins with an initial assessment by a counselor, who determines the most effective treatment plan.
“Their counselors give them coping mechanisms and strategies to manage emotions and challenges,” says a parent. “Both of our children get excited to go to their appointments. They feel safe and comfortable talking about real feelings, which hasn’t always been the case. Their counselors have been a lifeline, and for that, we are eternally grateful.”
If Newport Mental Health determines that another provider is better suited to meet a child’s needs, we connect families to the right resources. Working with partner agencies is part of the CCBHC model of providing or connecting to care, and Newport Mental Health partners with more than 30 agencies statewide.
Help is Just a Phone Call Away
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or community member, Newport Mental Health is here to help. If your child needs support, call us at (401) 846-1213. If you need help, call us. If you know someone who needs help, call us. We’re available 24/7, every day of the year. Together, we can raise healthy, resilient children in Newport County.
Dayna Gladstein is President & CEO of Newport Mental Health in Middletown. Peace of Mind, which is co-written with Kristan McClintock, appears monthly in the Newport Daily News and online at newportri.com.
Newport Mental Health is a 501(c)3, charitable nonprofit and a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) that provides mental health and substance use treatment to those who live, work, and study in Newport County, regardless of their income, insurance, or ability to pay. Newport Mental Health offers programs and services for children and adults; immediate access to care is available by calling 401-846-1213. For more information, please visit newportmentalhealth.org.
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