Department of Health Parent Consultants






	Parent Consultants at the RI Department of Health's Office of Family Health


		In 1988, two parents of children with special health care needs became volunteer consultants to Division of Family Health (DFH) staff. By sharing their experience as consumers of DFH services in the 1980s, these widely respected advocates for children helped staff members understand the service needs of this particular group of families. The Parent Consultant Program consists of Rhode Island parents from diverse backgrounds. They have recently used (or are currently using) DFH programs such as Lead, Immunization, Adolescent Health, WIC, Disability and Health, Newborn Screening, Early Intervention, and therefore provide current, direct feedback from their own experience as consumers of these services. Parent Consultants also assist families in accessing DFH programs through: Advocacy Consumer perspective Policy and program development Evaluation Case reviews Review of educational materials Early Intervention newsletter Mentors for other families Community outreach Parent satisfaction survey Community meetings Education of families & providers about DFH programs Community events Inter-agency collaboration Staff Director Adriana Leon 401-222-4637 adrianal@doh.state.ri.us Genetics Lorraine Carlino 401-222-5374 lorrainec@doh.state.ri.us Immunization Heidi Wallace 401-222-4625 heidiw@doh.state.ri.us State Systems Development Initiative (SSDI) Carnell "Jackie" Jackson 401-222-5924 jackiej@doh.state.ri.us WIC Hlee Thao 401-222-5923 hleet@doh.state.ri.us