Blog 5 - Rhode Island Behavioral Health System of Care Plan for Children's and Youth

 

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN RI

RI Behavioral Health System of Care Plan for Children and Youth 

System of Care Approach

This assignment its very dear and close to me, I am passionate about advocating and witnessing new plans develop from higher hierarchy who promise and promise and finally see the reality of assisting the community we live in.  My passion comes from my life and work experience.  I mainly serve our community a population with high needs from health, education, housing, and many more, a community that sometimes is forgotten and dominated by politics and riches... 

Let's begin... In the initial stage of the reading I was very curious to learn about the development of this plan given I was invited as a participant during the preliminary process of the EOHHS implementation sessions.  These meetings included some of the partners described (e,g.: ...) however, I notice a lack of participation and not a fully diverse population as described.  Allow me to explain; for one it was lacking the inclusion of real families, community advocates and others.  Off course the excuse was "this is a starting point" which I honestly appreciated their response.

Here's a hyperlink of the System Care Approach plan assigned to be read. I include this link as a reference of the following: below you will find a copy of a paragraph within this proposed plan that indicates it is a "crafted model" which still needs works, and the title of parties invited to partake within the development of this statewide plan who are also described as a team approach.

"Throughout implementation and as we secure additional funding opportunities, EOHHS and our partners will routinely evaluate the plan components. Therefore, this is a working document that will change. It is crafted through the lens of creating a more equitable and sufficient behavioral health system for all Rhode Island children, youth, and families, driven by community voice, choice, and using a racial equity lens. Our state planning team and our community partners – families, providers of services, and advocates".

My perspective after reading this plan was - hey what happen to qualitative, graphs, proposals, and data they are referring too, nevertheless the inclusion of all participants and descriptive information indicated... Ohhhh boy... I fell deceived and honestly very disappointed to read and see the lack of details.  However, after doing some digging, researching and connecting with folks I realized this was not the final graph, so WOLLAAAA I received a copy of the full completed document with the inclusion of resources, data, videos and conclusive information that brought happiness to learn its context but know that there's much work to continue.  Here's the full completed plan: Rhode Island Behavioral Health System of Care Plan for Children and Youth ( https://bit.ly/3NkO3Df )

This help me alleviate some of the anxiety I had since I did not have an opportunity to see the final version until now.   I know LOTS and LOTS of work still pending but the state has follow with what it promised and generated a plan that would provide services to ALL mainly focus our underserved population including mental health and other branches of needs our community is currently lacking. I've also learned many diverse groups of professionals, non-professional(families) and others were indeed part of finalizing this statewide plan. 

It brings me joy to learn - I live in the smallest state of the greatest country known as United States, this proves that we as a state accomplished what it promised, although it takes time but what doesn't.

Hopefully, in the right path and will continue...