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Five‑year study will offer free anxiety and OCD treatment to Rhode Island youth; Warwick staff asked to help enroll families
Summary
Committee members heard about a five‑year research program providing exposure therapy for youth ages 5–18, with services delivered in clinics, homes or community settings and partnerships with Thrive Behavioral Health to reduce waits for treatment.
Karen Wetherell told the committee about a five‑year funded study led by clinicians at Bradley Hospital offering evidence‑based exposure therapy for children and teens with anxiety and OCD, covering ages 5–18 and including services in clinics, homes or community settings.
"They will be providing clinical services to children and teens experiencing anxiety or OCD," Wetherell said, describing the model as evidence‑based and fully covered, and noting the program is working with community partners such as Thrive Behavioral Health in Warwick. She said the model pairs licensed clinicians with trained, non‑licensed staff to expand capacity and reduce wait times.
Wetherell offered to circulate flyers and contact information and asked the district nursing and social work staff to help disseminate enrollment materials. The study team reportedly offers multilingual services (English, Spanish and Portuguese) and is willing to provide parent presentations at schools.
Committee members expressed interest in having the study partner present to parents and in circulating materials through school nurses and principals. Ricks asked staff to send the flyer to him so he could ensure distribution to principals and building leaders.
No enrollment deadlines were specified in the discussion; staff agreed to follow up by sharing the flyer and contact details with school nurses and social workers.
