To enact policy and systems changes to benefit the children & families in Washington County, the Coalition again adopted a policy platform for the state’s 2025 legislative session.  Our platform includes bills two bills that we worked on with Senator DiMario and Rep. Tanzi to re-introduce again this session regarding commercial insurance coverage for children’s mental health services. Both bills passed the Senate last year.

H6118/S0263 requires commercial insurers to cover Youth Mobile Crisis and Response Stabilization Services (MRSS).  MRSS is the gold standard in crisis care for youth and has been found to be over 90% effective in reducting unneccessary trips to the Emergency Room. See our Fact Sheet about this bill.

H6117/S0705 mandates commercial insurers cover Community Health Worker (CHW) services, ensuring another funding stream to support vital services to those in need.  Our School-Based Tele-Behavioral Health project depends upon a CHW.  With only Medicaid funding to support the position, the program is at risk.  Only 1/3 of children in Washington County have Medicaid, most are covered by commercial insurance.  Community Health Workers play an important role in the health care system, especially for those most vulnerable.  See our Fact Sheet on their documented Return on Investment (ROI).

Other important legislation the Coalition is supporting this session including funding bills for the state’s 988 Crisis Hotline (H6128/S0982) and PediPRN & MomsPRN Psychiatric Consultation Service for pediatricians/obstetricians (H5461/S0220), as well as making MRSS a Stand Alone Service (H5527/S0429), apart from CCBHCs (Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics), which primarily provide adult behavioral services.  We also strongly support legislation introduced by Rep. Julie Casimiro (H5718/S0460) designating RI DCYF (Dept. of Children Youth & Families) as the primary agency to oversee and manage comprehensive behavioral health services for children with serious emotional disturbance and developmental or functional disabilities – currently parts of children’s behavioral health services are overseen by 7 different state depts. with no single entity in charge.

The Coalition’s legislative advocacy work is aided by our volunteer lobbyist and former WCCC Champion for Children award winner, Bob Hicks. This year we have been fortunate to have Jada Owens, Brown University MPH ’26, as our Health Policy Scholar.  She has been working hard supporting our advocacy efforts, tracking legislation, preparing FACT Sheets, drafting talking points & testimony, and more.  We are grateful to them both in helping with out advocacy.  If you want to get involved, contact Susan Orban, Coalition Coordinator, at wccc@washcokids.org.