About Us

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

On July 12, 2017, Governor Raimondo issued Executive Order 17-7, which directed the

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH) and the

Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) to establish a Family Task Force as a branch of the existing State Youth Treatment Planning Program (SYTP). The Task Force would allow families directly affected by the opioid epidemic to help the Governor’s Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force in promoting prevention and outreach initiatives.

The Family Task Force is a strong group of active and informed families of youth and adults who have or had opioid and substance use disorders and those who provide support, educate, and advocate for accessible and effective substance use prevention, treatment, response, and services that promote abstinence and recovery.

We are committed to working with families and state government to:

Save Lives
Educate on the Dangers of Opioid & Substance Use
End the Stigma of Addiction

Values

The Task Force functions as a group of respectful, well-informed and focused members who promote the following values:

Infusing a family-focused voice in policy and practice
Expanding Public Education in prevention, intervention, rescue, and recovery
Promoting Coordination and Collaboration
Empowering Families by:
- providing resources
- making connections and networking
- disseminating Family Crisis Tool Kits
Services include wholistic approaches that promote wellness and recovery
Ensuring services are according to National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
Reducing stigma associated with opioid and substance use disorders

Meet The Team

Trisha Suggs

Trisha Suggs, Family Task Force Co-Chair, Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) provides oversight to the Family Task Force as it relates to partnership with State Youth Treatment Implementation Program and as a liaison with the Governor’s Office.

Laurie MacDougall

Laurie McDougall, Family Task Force Co-Chair, Certified Family Peer Specialist (CFPS), REST educational group facilitator, Allies in Recovery Rhode Island Representative, Blogger, Podcast host, and CRAFT trained.

BHDDH

Serving Rhode Islanders who live with mental illness, substance use disorder and/or a developmental disability by maintaining a system of high quality, safe, affordable and coordinated care across the spectrum of behavioral health care services. Promoting the health, safety and well-being of all Rhode Islanders by developing policies and programs that address the issues of mental illness, addiction, recovery and community support.

Partners