Senate committee hears support for early-childhood mental health hub pilot; bill held for further consideration

Senate Bill 344, sponsored by Senator DeMario, would require the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to develop a budget and seek funding to establish an early childhood mental health hub to improve access to mental-health screening and evidence-based early interventions for children under 6 and their families.

Supporters told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that the measure is intended to build workforce capacity rather than immediately create a state-funded program. Jocelyn Antonio of the Hassenfeld Institute at Brown — testifying in her personal capacity — said the bill would require EOHHS to seek funding for a three-year pilot to train and support clinicians in infant- and early-childhood-specific therapies. “This legislation would require the Rhode Island EOHHS to establish an early childhood mental health hub, a centralized resource aimed to improving access to qualified mental health professionals for young children and their families,” Antonio said.

The bill follows recommendations from the Rhode Island Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Task Force Plan (2023). Senator DeMario described SB 344 as the outgrowth of a multiyear effort and said earlier legislation directed EOHHS to develop a roadmap; this version asks EOHHS to seek funding (which may include federal grants or philanthropic sources) rather than placing a new line in the state budget.

Multiple witnesses from advocacy and research groups emphasized early intervention as cost-effective and important to child development. Mikaela Carroll of Rhode Island Kids Count and the Right from the Start campaign said Rhode Island lacks the clinical capacity to deliver dyadic, parent-child therapies commonly recommended by other states and that the bill would build clinician capacity. An intern at the Economic Progress Institute, Megan Gilbert, described frontline experience working with families and urged support for early screening and intervention; she cited task force findings and asserted that early interventions improve long-term outcomes.

Committee discussion was limited. After testimony, the committee took a voice vote on a motion to hold the bill for further consideration; Vice Chair Laurier moved to hold and Senator Jufusah seconded. The clerk recorded the motion as carried and SB 344 was held.

The bill does not appropriate state funds in its current form; sponsor and witnesses repeatedly noted it directs EOHHS to seek funding and develop a budget for a pilot rather than obligating a state appropriation. Supporters pointed to prior federal and philanthropic grant opportunities and to a prior Senate measure that included funding and training language but did not secure appropriation.

Supporters and the sponsor framed the proposal as workforce-first: train clinicians in infant- and early-childhood-specific screening and dyadic therapies and embed them in existing settings such as child-care centers and pediatric practices. The committee did not vote on final passage.