Advocacy Opportunities
Parents and caregivers who want to work more closely with the professionals supporting their children can join meetings or advisory committees that are hosted by the agencies that provide services. These meetings are a chance to learn more about what an agency does, how programs are run, and how they serve different groups in the community. While the meetings aren’t the place to bring up individual concerns, families can learn where to go to get help and connect with the right people to address their specific needs.
| Opportunity Name | Description | Additional Meeting Info |
| Rhode Island Parent and Caregiver Advisory Council | This group gives Rhode Island parents and caregivers of young children and pregnant individuals the opportunity to provide feedback to improve programs for children and families and build communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. | Meets the third Wednesday of every month 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. via Zoom; Benefits include a gift card for participation. |
| Governor's Permanent Commission on Childcare | The Commission discusses updates from child care providers and agencies and brainstorms future goals and plans. | Meets at Rhode Island State House in Providence |
| Rhode Island Interagency Coordinating Council | The Early Intervention Interagency Coordination Council (ICC) is composed of representatives from organizations that serve the early childhood population and parents of children who are currently or formerly enrolled in Early Intervention. The ICC is an advisory council that assists the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) with program implementation. It is a venue to share information, and programs are encouraged to work together on initiatives that are being implemented across the State. The ICC also acts as a forum for families and providers to discuss challenges and successes in their Early Intervention experiences. | Meetings take place on a bi-monthly basis, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; hybrid format |
| Medicaid Consumer Advisory Committee (MAC) | The MAC advises Rhode Island Medicaid about potential ways to improve the Medicaid program by providing a sounding board and, as an advisory group, give Rhode Island Medicaid feedback on current and evolving issues. The MAC is composed of people who represent advocates, clinicians and administrators, community partners, and state, local or community-based organizations. | EOHHS is not currently accepting applications for the Medicaid Advisory Council. Please check the website for updates about applying and for information about MAC meetings that are open to the public. |
| Rhode Island Medicaid Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC) | The BAC is a group of people who meet to share their Medicaid experiences and work directly with Medicaid staff to suggest ways to improve Medicaid. BAC members must be a current or former Medicaid recipient, or a family member or caregiver to someone enrolled in Medicaid. | EOHHS is not currently accepting applications for the Beneficiary Advisory Council. Please check the website for updates about applying. BAC meetings are not open to the public. |
| Neighborhood Health Plan Rhode Island Consumer Advisory Committee | Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP) of Rhode Island uses a Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) to ensure that feedback from members is heard and incorporated into the planning and delivery of healthcare services. This committee provides feedback to NHP; promotes consumer inclusion; and acts as a liaison among consumers, providers, and community groups. | The CAC includes individuals with lived experience of mental health and substance use disorders, representing the communities served by NHP. Members also possess relevant knowledge of community needs and the services required. |
| Tufts RI Together Member Advisory Council | Tufts RI Together Medicaid members or caregivers of members can join the Member Advisory Council to learn about their health plan, provide input on health-related issues, and give feedback on services. | Meetings are held quarterly on Zoom. Contact ritogethermac@point32health.org for information on how to join. |
| UnitedHealthcare Consumer Advisory Council | UnitedHealthcare (UHC) members can join the Member Advisory Committee and share feedback and concerns and learn about their health plan. | Transportation is provided; Call Member Services at 844-445-7222 (TTY: 711) if you are interested in joining. |
| Bradley Hospital Family Advisory Council | Bradley Hospital's Family Advisory Council seeks to actively engage families as partners with Bradley Hospital. The main goal of the Council is to continuously improve understanding and communication between the hospital/school staff and the family members they serve. | Meetings take place on the third Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. in the Pine Room at Bradley Hospital and online; Meetings include a light dinner, and most meetings feature guest visitors such as hospital leadership and clinical experts. |
| Parent Support Network of Rhode Island Family Advisory Board | Parent Support Network has this statewide Family Advisory Board for families and allies to organize and promote system transformation in policy and practice in order to meet the needs of children, youth, and young adults with behavioral health challenges and their families. | This Board meets virtually and all meetings are recorded and are available for review; Meetings are held in Warwick on the second Thursday of each month |
| Women & Infants Patient and Family Advisory Council | There are several different Patient and Family Advisory Councils that provide a forum for patients and families to share feedback, suggestions, and ideas to continuously improve quality and patient care experiences. The Councils are comprised of patients, family members, community partners, and hospital staff that are designed to model the partnership that is the foundation of the patient and family experience. Advisory Council monthly meetings provide the patient/family perspective, ensuring that the voice of families is heard in decisions that can impact them. Members are asked to attend a monthly meeting and consider doing additional work. | Anyone who has been a patient at Women & Infants Hospital or one of its ambulatory settings, who is a family member of a patient, or is a community member interested in making a positive contribution to the hospital is welcome to participate. The time commitment is dependent upon the advisor’s availability and interests. There are several different Advisory Councils: Hospital-Wide Advisory Council Second Thursday of the month, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. NICU Family Advisory Council First Friday of the month, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. OB Patient and Family Advisory Council Third Tuesday of the month, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Oncology Patient and Family Advisory Council Second Tuesday of the month, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. For more information, please contact: Patient Experience and Family-Centered Care 401- 274-1122, ext. 43113 Fax: (401) 453-7679 Email: volunteer@wihri.org |
| Hasbro Children's Family Advisory Council | Hasbro Children's Family Advisory Council was formed to actively engage families as collaborators with the hospital and to serve as an active voice for families. It is a dedicated partnership of parents, former patients, and staff members who promote comprehensive and compassionate healthcare through a patient and family-centered care approach. | Hasbro Children's Family Advisory Council welcomes former patients and family members to join and share feedback on their patient experiences. Interested families can submit their application online. |
| DCYF Child Well-Being Advisory Committee | More than 100 parents, legal guardians, resource caregivers, current and former foster youth, and leaders from community organizations make up this committee to ensure their voices inform DCYF policy and the continuous improvement of services and service delivery. | Contact: Melissa Aguiar Rivard, LMHC DCYF Chief of Strategic Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Melissa.aguiarrivard@dcyf.ri.gov |