Official State of Rhode Island website

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals State of Rhode Island

Events and Forums

DD Community Forums

BHDDH holds virtual DD Community Forums every three months. The forums are free and open to anyone interested in joining.

At the community forums, individuals will learn BHDDH news and updates from Director Kevin Savage and other members of the team. This is also a great event for BHDDH to learn more from the community. BHDDH welcomes feedback from the community. 

The forums take place on Zoom and are hosted by Advocates in Action. There is an option to join online or call into the forum. All forums are recorded, and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters are present at the event.

2025 Forum Dates

There will be four DD Community Forums in 2025. You must sign-up for each event.  

Tuesday June 17, 2025 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm online sign-up 

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm online sign-up

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm online sign-up 

Your Life, Your Rights Program​

The Division is hosting free, weekly online trainings about your rights. Program topics and dates are:  

  • DD Bill of Rights Tuesday, April 22, 2025

  • Safety Rights Tuesday, April 29, 2025​

  • Fair Treatment Rights (Anti-discrimination) Tuesday, May 6, 2025​

  • Healthcare Rights Tuesday, May 13, 2025​

  • Relationship Rights​ Tuesday, May 20, 2025 ​

All trainings are from 10:30am to 12pm. 

You can sign-up for any or all the trainings you are interested in using the program sign-up link.​

To review other recordings of past DD Community Forums, visit Advocates in Action Rhode Island: Rhode Island's Statewide Self-Advocacy Organization (website). 

Community Events

This table shares a list of upcoming community events. These events are not led, organized, or sponsored by the Division. 

Event​

Date and Time​

Location​

Sign-up​

“Introduction to Person-Centered Thinking” by Sherlock Center​

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, April 15, 16, 22, 23​

10 - 11:30am​

Zoom​

Person-Centered Thinking online sign-up.​

“What, Wait! You Want Me to Talk About Sexuality?” by Elevatus Training ​

Tuesday, April 15, 2025, and 2 other dates from 3-4pm ​

Online ​

Elevatus Training free online workshop sign-up webpage. ​

“Self-Direction for the Long Haul” by Applied Self-Direction​

Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 2-3pm​

Online​

Self-Direction for the Long Haul online sign-up.​

“Self-Directed Supports Network Online Meeting” by Sherlock Center​

Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 7-8:30pm​

Online​

Self-Directed Supports Network meeting online sign-up. ​

“Self-Directed Toolkit” by RIPIN​

Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10 am ​

Zoom and in-person​

Learn more on the RIPIN Self-Directed Toolkit event page.​

“23rd Annual Imagine Walk & Family Fun Day!” by the Autism Project​

Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 10am​

Goddard Memorial State Park​

Autism Project Annual Imagine Walk sign-up webpage ​

“SSI Overview” by Sherlock Center​

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 12-1pm​

Zoom​

SSI Overview online-sign-up.​

“Family Employment Awareness Training-Youth (FEAT-Y)” by Sherlock Center​

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May 5, 8, 12 and 15 from 4:30-6pm​

Zoom​

FEAT-Y online-sign-up.​

“Mental Health Support for Consumers with I/DD” by RIPIN​

Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 6pm​

Zoom​

Learn more on the RIPIN Mental Health Support for Consumers with I/DD webpage.​

“SSDI Overview” by Sherlock Center​

Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 12-1pm​

Zoom​

SSDI Overview online sign-up.​

“Annual Breakfast” by RIPIN​

Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 8-10am​

Crowne Plaza, Warwick ​

Annual Breakfast online sign-up webpage​

“Work Pays! An Introduction to Youth SSI Work Incentives” by Sherlock​

Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 12-1pm​

Zoom​

Work Pays online sign-up.​

“Family Leadership Project 2.0” by Best Life RI and Starfire​

TBD monthly sessions through Sept. from 6-7pm​

Online​

Visit the Best Life RI website to sign-up ​

This webpage was updated 4/15/25.