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​

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

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

Zoom​

FEAT-Y online-sign-up.​

“Rhode Island’s Workforce Development Initiative” by Advancing Employment ​

Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 2-3pm​

Online​

Learn more and sign-up on the Advancing Employment website. ​

“2nd Annual Mental Health Fair” by Providence Schools ​

Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 4-6pm​

41 Fricker St, Providence ​

Visit the Providence Schools website. No sign-up needed.​

“Wellness Fair” by The RI Nurses Institute Middle College Charter High School ​

Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 10am-2pm​

150 Washington St., Providence​

Visit the RI Nurses Institute Middle College Charter High School website. No sign-up needed.​

“Supporting Meaningful Employment: Job Retention and Coaching” by Sherlock Center ​

Thursday, May 15 to June 12, 2025, at different times​

Sherlock Center, Rhode Island College​

Sign-up for the Supporting Meaningful Employment series online. ​

“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.​

“Georgia’s Disability Justice Journey and Employment” by Advancing Employment​

Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 2-3pm​

Online​

Learn more and sign-up on the Advancing Employment website. ​

“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.​

“Friendships at Work” by Advancing Employment​

Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 2-3pm​

Online​

Learn more and sign-up on the Advancing Employment website. ​

“Let’s Talk About Money” by Sherlock Center​

Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 4:30-6:30pm​

Sherlock Center, Rhode Island College ​

Learn more and sign-up on the Talk About Money event page. ​

“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. ​

"Scoop, Snack, Chat: A Sweet Social Gathering" by RIPIN​

Wednesday, June 26, 2025, 4pm-6:30pm​

​

imPOSSIBLE Dream, Warwick​

​

Sign-up details will be shared soon. ​

This webpage was updated 5/13/25.