Community Advocacy Organizations

Services Provided:
• Technical assistance and training in the areas of Early Intervention, infant mental health and trauma-based care practices, inclusive practices in schools, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports in schools, learners with low incidence disabilities (vision, hearing, deaf-blindness) dual sensory, transition from high school, and community-based employment strategies for youth and adults.
• Services include:
o Instruction and mobility services to children who are blind or visually impaired.
o Educational Advocates for students with disabilities who are in state care.
o Benefits counseling and assistance for Social Security beneficiaries.
o Family support and navigation of services.
o Support group for self-directed support users (DDD)
o Plan writing for self-directed support users (DDD).
o Support for parents with intellectual disabilities.
o Support to students in post-secondary education.

Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities, founded at Rhode Island College in 1993, is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). UCEDDs are evidence driven and designed to advance policies, practices, and research that improve the health, education, social, and economic well-being of people with disabilities, their families, and their communities. There are 67 UCEDD programs in the United States. This national network is administered through the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
The Sherlock Center partners with state and national agencies, schools, institutions of higher education and community providers to implement its core functions: preservice preparation, services (including technical assistance, community education, and direct services), research, and information dissemination. As of 2016, the Sherlock Center is a LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) Program.
Areas of Emphasis:
Early Childhood and Education
Inclusion and Community Membership
Low Incidence Disabilities
Self-Determination
Transition, Employment and Adult Life
Workforce and Professional Development

Weekly classes are provided in the area of chair yoga, tai chi, reiki, exercise to music, and strength strengthening. Many of these classes are offered virtually due to Covid Pandemic. https://www.msdreamcenter.org/programs

Painting and Art enrichment classes

Hairstylist comes to center once a month to provide haircuts for a nominal fee.

Support groups

The MS Dream Center goal is to bring awareness to the disease and reach out to those living with it, empowering them and offering important respite opportunities for care partners.

AS220 Youth is a free arts education program for young people ages 14-21, with a special focus on those in the care and custody of the state. 

AS220 Youth Studio is closed at this time due to pandemic. Information 

AS220 Youth is a nationally recognized, award-winning after-school educational program and creative incubator for young people. Serving young people ages 14-21 with a special focus on those in the care and custody of the state, the program strives to dismantle the pipeline to prison by empowering  at-risk, beyond-risk and incarcerated youth through arts, culture and collective action.

Youth Pride has extensive programs and Services Information  

• Drop-in Center
• Support Groups- Gender Spectrum, The Way Out and Under 13
• Crisis Intervention and Case Management
• Individual Counseling
• Mentoring
• Basic Needs Pantry

Youth Pride Inc. (YPI) is an affirming space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning young people to build community, develop connections and be themselves. Youth come together from a wide range of backgrounds and join with one another over common issues and activities, sometimes as simple as playing video games or sharing a meal. All of our programs are free of charge and include individual counseling, weekly discussion groups, leadership trainings, social events and wellness activities. In the end, youth experiences at YPI can be transformative.

Recognizing that LBGTQQ youth exist outside of YPI, we also provide professional development and training for youth service providers, social service organizations and schools so they have the information and resources to treat all youth with respect and dignity.

Programs

• Leadership Transformation Academy
• Student Advocacy 
• Civic Leadership

Young Voices is a Rhode Island-based non-profit organization that transforms urban youth into powerful advocates, who partner with our State’s major leaders to create systemic reform and policy change that improve the lives of thousands of youth across the state.

In School Youth Ages 14 – 21- Youth enrolled in a middle school or high school at the current time.

Drop out prevention tutoring Program

Summer jobs

Workforce readiness

Free job training

Skills Center Services: For Out of School Youth ages 16 – 24

Youth who have dropped out of high school or have a High School diploma and are looking for further education or Employment services. 

GED Classes

Free occupational/job skill trainings

Financial Literacy classes

Youth Prevention Services
Adult and Youth Education, Employment & Training [https://tricountyri.org/services/adult-and-youth-education-employment-training/]
Youth Sports [https://tricountyri.org/services/sports-recreation/]
Senior and Disabled Adult Case Management Program
Victim of Crime Advocacy Program (VOCA)
Victim of Crime Advocacy Program (VOCA) for D/deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind
Health Center [https://tricountyri.org/services/health-centers-lab/]

Mission:
“To provide accessible, quality, and comprehensive social, educational, health, prevention, and other services to people in need, while empowering them to achieve the highest possible level of self-sufficiency and quality of life."

Tri-County Community Action Program has 12 sites in multiple communities throughout the State of Rhode Island.

Programs

• Early Childhood and School age link
• Youth Program link
• Adult Education link
• Senior Program link
• Health and Wellness link
• Food Pantry link
• Social Services link
• Immigration link

Bridge to Career link

Citizenship Consortium
Education
Adult Education
Early Childhood
Health & Wellness
Housing Advocacy
Prevention
Immigration
Senior Programs
Youth Programs
Food Pantry

Victims of Crimes (VOCA)
VITA Site - Free Income Tax Services

Progreso Latino, Inc. is a multi-service, non-profit, community based organization located in Central Falls. Progreso Latino’s mission is to help Rhode Island’s Latino and immigrant communities to achieve greater self-sufficiency and socio-economic progress by providing transformational programs that support personal growth and social change.

We provide programs and services for immigrants, refugees, and those who need it most in the community. Here is a brief overview of the services we provide:

• Education
• Citizenship & Immigration
• Refugee Resettlement
• Unaccompanied Minors
• Clothing Collaborative
• Employment
• Translation & Interpretation

We provide client-centered services, advocacy and opportunities based on our expertise in family literacy and adult education, employment services, refugee resettlement, translation, interpretation, U.S. citizenship and immigration services.
There is also a North Campus, address below

DIIRI
220 Elmwood Ave
Providence , RI 02907

• Lunch and Learn seminars
• Peer Support
• Advocacy
• Young Adult Transition Program
• Independent Living Skill Training and Assessment
• Home Accessibility and Adaptability
• Assistive Technology 

Ocean State Center for Independent Living , OSCIL, provides information on community resources and services to persons with disabilities and their families, service providers, and the general public, as well as receiving referrals for our agency for direct services. Information is provided by phone, email, mail, and one-on-one to walk-ins to our Center.

To keep our staff and consumers safe, OSCIL offices will remain closed to the public, with staff working staggered schedules and remotely, until further notice.

You may call our offices and speak to or leave a message for our staff members. 

If you would like to speak to our Information and Referral Specialist, call 401-738-1013 ext 13. You may also email her at info@oscil.org.

Additional location in Pawtucket

• Lunch and Learn seminars
• Peer Support
• Advocacy
• Young Adult Transition Program
• Independent Living Skill Training and Assessment
• Home Accessibility and Adaptability
• Assistive Technology 

Ocean State Center for Independent Living , OSCIL, provides information on community resources and services to persons with disabilities and their families, service providers, and the general public, as well as receiving referrals for our agency for direct services. Information is provided by phone, email, mail, and one-on-one to walk-ins to our Center.

To keep our staff and consumers safe, OSCIL offices will remain closed to the public, with staff working staggered schedules and remotely, until further notice.

You may call our offices and speak to or leave a message for our staff members. 

If you would like to speak to our Information and Referral Specialist, call 401-738-1013 ext 13. You may also email her at info@oscil.org.

Additional location in Warwick

24 hour statewide hotline:
1(800) 494-8100

Serving individuals and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

Court Advocacy
Counseling and Support Services
Residential
Law enforcement advocacy

Our mission is to end the perpetration and societal tolerance of interpersonal violence, including all forms of domestic and sexual abuse, and until that is achieved, to provide comprehensive services to victims and education in the community.
A member agency of Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Due to Covid concerns, Drop In Center is closed to the public.

• Housing Office call 401-808-6889
• Support Groups meeting virtually
• Non emergency confidential text line for resources 401-214-7882

Sojourner House is a comprehensive domestic violence agency. Every day, we serve victims of relationship violence by providing shelter, advocacy, referrals, and other resources.

The mission of Sojourner House is to promote healthy relationships by providing culturally sensitive support, advocacy, housing, and education for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking; and to effect systems change.

Children and Family Services link

• Home Based Therapy Services
• Personal Assistance and Support Services
• Enhanced Outpatient Services
• Social Skill Groups
• Art therapy

Adult Supportive Living Program link

• Community and Home Supports for Adults with Disabilities and who meet eligible requirements for services. 
• Adaptive Arts program link

The mission of United Cerebral Palsy of Rhode Island is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

As the local affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), our organization educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities throughout of all of Rhode Island.

For more information about the Child and Family Services Program, please call or e-mail Clinical Director Kristeen Rocha at (401) 728-1800 x104

The Leadership Series is a free course that we created with support from the RI Department of BHDDH as part of our mission to empower people who have a developmental disability to advocate for themselves and others.

• Self-Advocacy Skills and Leadership Development
• Events 

Contact Information

Advocates in Action Rhode Island is an independent non-profit Statewide Self-Advocacy organization. Our mission is to empower people who have a developmental disability to advocate for themselves and others, to support and strengthen the Self‐Advocacy movement and to raise awareness about disability issues in the community. We strive to help people become educated about their options, aware of available resources, able to make informed decisions, in control of their own lives, and involved within the community.

Information about Fabry disease, research and clinical trials information, funding programs, and more. Programs, include:

• Annual conference
• Family camp
• Personal support
• Research and educational information

ASHA's work is focused around three important objectives:
Educate: Be the source of scientifically-based and accessible information
Build Alliances: Collaborate with other organizations to expand the understanding and acceptance of the sexual health model
Advocate: Advance supportive changes in sexual health policy

The NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights group in the U.S. Its principal objective is to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality among minority citizens.

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) is the nation's leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic security, health, and well-being of America's low-income families and children. NCCP has a list online of publications on the following topics:

• Child Poverty
• Children’s Mental Health
• Early Care and Learning
• Healthy Development
• Immigrant Families
• Infants and Toddlers
• Integrated Systems
• Low-Wage Work
• Social Security
• Welfare
• Work Supports

The Autism Research Institute (ARI) is the hub of a worldwide network of parents and professionals concerned with autism. ARI was founded in 1967 to conduct and foster scientific research designed to improve the methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing autism. ARI also disseminates research findings to parents and others worldwide seeking help. The ARI data bank, the world's largest, contains over 40,000 detailed case histories of autistic children from over 60 countries.

Services:

• Online educational events for parents and caretakers
• Continuing medical education credit for physicians, teachers, dietitians, and occupational therapists
• ATEC treatment assessment tool for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Resource Line
• Research updates and newsletters

The mission of United Way is to improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.

United Ways across the country activate community resources to make the greatest possible human impact. The United Way system includes approximately 1,400 community-based United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated and governed by local volunteers.

As community leaders, United Ways address the most critical local issues and mobilize resources beyond the dollars that are pledged through their fund-raising efforts. Community partners often include schools, government policy makers, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, voluntary and neighborhood associations, community development corporations and the faith community.

United Spinal Association is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including veterans, and providing support and information to loved ones, care providers and professionals. Offers options to request assistance, connect with a mentor, connect with a chapter, advocacy, and product and service information.

Spinal Cord Resource Center: Submit questions on any aspect of Spinal Cord Injury/Disease or get information and resources that may help you resolve a situation including local support.

Disability Products & Services Guide: Search the United Spinal Association Disability Products & Services Directory to discover providers and organizations that specialize in optimizing the health, independence and quality of life of people with a spinal cord injury or disease.

• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Information and Referral
• Legislative Advocacy
• Self Advocacy Support