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6/9/2026
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Budget includes Sen. DiMario bill to continue funding Psychiatry Resource Network
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STATE HOUSE — Sen. Alana M. DiMario is applauding the inclusion in the state budget bill of her legislation to provide stable funding for a psychiatric resource network for providers treating children and new parents.
The Rhode Island Psychiatry Resource Network (PRN) is a statewide teleconsultation resource for medical providers composed of two programs: RI MomsPRN, which serves providers treating pregnant and postpartum patients, and PediPRN, which serves primary care providers treating children and adolescents. Both programs provide medical professionals with access to consultations with licensed mental health professionals to assist them in treating the mental health concerns of their patients.
Senator DiMario, who has worked with new mothers as an outpatient mental health provider for over a decade, has seen firsthand the numerous challenges for new mothers facing postpartum mental health difficulties, including finding a psychiatrist who accepts their insurance and is taking new patients, opening up to a total stranger during a difficult time and the challenge of fitting in a new appointment while caring for a newborn.
“I want to thank President Lawson, Chairman DiPalma and the Senate Finance committee for finding funding in the budget for these essential programs,” said Senator DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham). “When the MomsPRN program launched in 2016, it meant that a postpartum person seeing their trusted provider could leave from that first appointment with resources for therapy as well as a prescription that could start providing immediate relief. The launching of this program was like a light turning on for so many women who previously were sitting alone in the dark. Enshrining both PRN programs into law will provide stability for these women, their children and the providers who care for them.”
PediPRN, which launched in Rhode Island in 2019, works similarly for parents with children who are struggling, allowing them to access psychiatric support through their trusted pediatrician instead of having to start from scratch finding a psychiatric provider who treats children and accepts their insurance.
Senator DiMario also notes that by supporting primary care providers and pediatricians in treating the mental health needs of their patients, both PRN programs are also important tools in retaining providers and reducing burnout.
These PRN programs have been funded by a series of federal grants, the last of which expires in September. Senator DiMario’s legislation (2026-S 2562) incorporates both programs into the Department of Health with funding to continue both MomsPRN and PediPRN, as does this year’s budget (2026-H 7127Aaa).
The budget bill was approved by the Senate Finance Committee yesterday, June 8, and comes before the full Senate this afternoon.
Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket) introduced the companion bill (2026-H 8268) in the House.
“The MomsPRN and PediPRN programs are programs that effectively support the mental health needs of pregnant and postpartum Rhode Islanders and RI kids,” said Paige Parks, executive director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. “We are happy to see the Rhode Island programs were sustained in the FY2027 budget, and are thrilled to see that Senator DiMario's proposal to permanently continue these programs was approved by the Senate Finance Committee. These programs help pediatricians, family physicians and obstetricians access mental health care for their patients efficiently and effectively, supporting our health care systems as well as our families. They support moms and kids to access the mental health care they need before their concerns become urgent, critical and expensive crises requiring emergency rooms and more intensive care. This is a win for pregnant, postpartum and pediatric Rhode Islanders, as well as for the obstetricians and pediatricians who care for them!”
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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