Children's Friend, a non-profit organization founded in 1834, is Rhode Island's oldest child welfare organization and a leading provider of child welfare, family support, mental health, and child development services. With centers in Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls, Children's Friend serves more than 30,000 of Rhode Island's most vulnerable children and their families each year. Our mission is to promote the well being and healthy development of Rhode Island's most vulnerable children by providing flexible, effective, and culturally relevant services that support and strengthen families and communities. We support families and help them find the strength to overcome their hurdles. By creating safe and nurturing environments for children during the crucial early years, and by helping parents gain access to the resources, education, and support that they need, we can give children the foundation to help them live healthy and productive lives.
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Services Offered
Birth Parent Counseling - If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, we can help you find answers to your questions. Our sensitive, caring counselors provide individual help so that you can evaluate your options and choose what is best for you and your child. Our counselors can also provide help for fathers and other family members who are involved. If you are worried about the reactions your family and/or your partner will have to your pregnancy, we can help. If you decide to place your child for adoption, we will help you find peace of mind, knowing that your baby is well cared for and safe. If you decide to parent your child, we will help you to prepare for the birth and the new challenges you will face as a parent. We will also link you to a range of resources in the community.
Adoption Support & Preservation - Our Adoption Support services provide confidential support and counseling for adopted children and their families. The primary goals are to promote permanent homes for the children, to increase parenting skills, improve child behavior, and prevent adoption disruptions. The children may be in the home at the time of service or in an alternative placement. Services are also available for families prior to adoption finalization. Services include individual and family counseling, therapeutic groups for children and their parents, case management and service linkage.
Fees and Payment
We accept Blue Cross, United Health, NHP, Medicaid and Rite Care insurance, as well as self-paying clients. We are also a nonprofit organization.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono Medicare Medicaid
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A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.