Shekarchi, Ruggerio honored for supporting behavioral health

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi receives a poster honoring him from CODAC CEO Linda Hurley.

STATE HOUSE – House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio were honored as “Legislative Champions” this week by Horizon Healthcare Partners for their efforts to ensure that behavioral health issues were addressed in the 2025 state budget. 

Senators Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Little Compton, Tiverton), Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence), Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol), Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence), Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown) and Melissa A. Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) at the event. “Thanks to the leadership of House Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggiero, significant legislation was passed last session that will positively impact the lives of those Rhode Islanders struggling with mental health and substance use issues,” stated Horizon Healthcare Partners CFO Amy Kalinick. “We honor them today for their unwavering commitment to ensure all Rhode Islanders have access to services that assist them with mental health well-being, the treatment of mental and substance use disorders, and support for those in recovery from these conditions, along with support for their families and communities.”

The 2025 state budget approved in June provided hundreds of millions in new funding for long-needed rate increases for providers of behavioral health and related services, as well as for the establishment of new, more accessible behavioral health clinics, housing, and other services that will assist those experiencing behavioral health needs.

Horizon Healthcare Partners is a consortium of seven agencies serving the behavioral health needs of Rhode Islanders: Community Care Alliance, Newport Mental Health, Thrive Behavioral Health, Tides Family Services, The Galilee Mission, Child & Family RI and CODAC.  The awards were presented at an event held Tuesday at CODAC in Providence.

Both the speaker and the president thanked the agencies that make up Horizon Healthcare Partners both for the dedication to serving Rhode Islanders’ needs and for their effective advocacy during the development of the state budget.

“During the budget process earlier this year, the members of Horizon Healthcare Partners made their voices heard loud and clear at the State House regarding increasing the state’s investments in behavioral health care. I’m appreciate of their effective advocacy and commitment which resulted in significant funding increases in multiple areas, including rate reform, community behavioral health, children’s services and housing stabilization,” said Speaker Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick).

Said President Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence), “The agencies that comprise Horizon Healthcare Partners make a powerful difference in the lives of Rhode Islanders, every day. Their outstanding work is recognized and appreciated at the State House, and so is their tireless advocacy for behavioral health care supports. I am extremely proud of the investments we made in key areas of need by working together as part of this year’s budget process.”

The 2025 state budget included $76.7 million to finance the rate model for the establishment of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Rhode Island, as well as $30 million over several years from State Fiscal Recovery funds to support the infrastructure needed to expand the number of clinics and assist with the rate reimbursement structure tied to the federal model. Such clinics provide same-day mental health and substance-use services to everyone, regardless of the ability to pay or insurance type. There are currently six behavioral health organizations around the state certified to open CCBHCs very soon in the first year of this model.

The budget provided $163.4 million to fund much-needed rate increases for home and community-based services, behavioral health care services and children’s services beginning Oct. 1. Lawmakers increased funding for Department of Children, Youth and Families provider services, such as congregate care, foster care, adoption and other community-based services, by $54.6 over last year, to $254.8 million.

It included $5.4 million over several years from 2024 State Fiscal Recovery funds to support the 988 hotline, the national behavioral health, suicide prevention and crisis hotline. Additionally, the Assembly provided $2.2 million from State Fiscal Recovery funds to provide law enforcement with crisis intervention training and technical assistance on strategies and protocols for responding to increased mental health-related calls to local police departments. 

The budget also provided a $17.3 increase in funding for housing navigation, stabilization and mental health services for people experiencing homelessness, in addition to authorization for a ballot question asking voters to approve a $120 million bond to help address the state’s housing crisis.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Little Compton, Tiverton) accepted the award at the event on President Ruggerio’s behalf. Additionally outgoing Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) and former Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) were also honored by HHP for their contributions to behavioral health efforts during their years of leadership in the General Assembly.

 

 

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