Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals, Department of

Director Richard Charest R.P.H., MBA

The Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) touches the lives of more than 50,000 Rhode Islanders living with mental illness, substance use conditions, those who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities or need Long-Term Acute Care at the state-run hospital, Eleanor Slater Hospital. The Department works to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have the opportunity to enjoy the best possible behavioral health and well-being, with full access to the benefits of community living in the most integrated setting appropriate for their needs.

BHDDH licenses and oversees a network of providers who deliver services for mental health/substance use conditions, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and long-term acute care at Eleanor Slater Hospital. The Department is responsible for running a responsive, caring, and efficient system of person-centered services. Wellness, recovery, and parity are the themes the agency uses to combat negative attitudes and to move closer to an inclusive society. The Department works to create safe, accessible, high quality and integrated services for all Rhode Islanders, while collaborating with community partners for those in need of assistance. This also means building capacity so every door will be the right door for care, while simultaneously working to ensure there is parity in mental health care.