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HR 8417

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 TO THRIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, INC. TO SUPPORT THE HILLSGROVE CLUBHOUSE PROGRAM

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Bennett and 6 co-sponsors

Rhode Island allocates $500,000 for 2026-27 to Thrive Behavioral Health to operate and expand the Hillsgrove Clubhouse Program, ensuring continued community-based support for peopl

05/05/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HR 8417

Summary of HR 8417 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

Joint Resolution making an appropriation of $500,000 to Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc. to support the Hillsgrove Clubhouse Program

Purpose and Intent

  • Authorizes a state appropriation of $500,000 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc. to support the operation and expansion of the Hillsgrove Clubhouse Program in Warwick, RI.
  • Aims to reinforce Rhode Island’s community-based behavioral health continuum by ensuring continued funding for a recognized clubhouse model that promotes recovery, employment, education, housing stability, and community integration for individuals with serious mental illness.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Appropriation: Transfers $500,000 from the state treasury (unassigned general funds) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • Allocation Agent: The Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH) is authorized and directed to disburse the funds to Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc.
  • Disbursement Mechanism: The State Controller is authorized to issue payment orders to the General Treasurer for the release of the funds.
  • Scope: Funds are specifically designated to support the operation and expansion of the Hillsgrove Clubhouse Program, the only accredited program of its kind in Rhode Island, which serves as a community-based psychiatric rehabilitation program.

Who/What is Affected

  • Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc.: Recipient and manager of the funds to operate/expand the Hillsgrove Clubhouse Program.
  • Hillsgrove Clubhouse Program: The program that benefits from the funding, located in Warwick, RI; serves individuals with serious mental illness.
  • BHDDH: Service provider responsible for disbursing funds to Thrive and overseeing the allocation for this purpose.
  • Rhode Island residents with serious mental illness who participate in or benefit from the Hillsgrove Clubhouse services (estimated statewide reach: over 165 individuals).

Context and Rationale

  • The Hillsgrove Clubhouse uses an internationally recognized, evidence-based clubhouse model emphasizing meaningful work, peer engagement, and community integration.
  • The program supports employment, education, housing stability, and long-term recovery outcomes.
  • The bill notes a recent hurdle: Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc. reportedly received notice from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services that it could no longer bill the state Medicaid program for Hillsgrove services, without an alternative billing path. The appropriation seeks to stabilize funding for continued operation despite Medicaid billing changes.
  • Emphasizes the broader policy goal of investing in community-based behavioral health programs to reduce reliance on higher-cost services (hospitalization, emergency care) and improve quality of life.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction: April 8, 2026.
  • Referred to: House Finance.
  • Action Schedule: Hearing/consideration scheduled for May 1, 2026 (with a noted hearing date of May 5, 2026).
  • Effective Date: As an appropriation resolution, it becomes operative for the 2026-2027 fiscal year once enacted and signed into law.
  • Administrative Process: Requires the State Controller to issue payment orders; BHDDH to disburse the funds to Thrive.

Substantive Impact

  • Provides a concrete state investment aimed at preserving and expanding a critical behavioral health service in Rhode Island.
  • Seeks to ensure continuity of care for program participants in light of Medicaid billing changes.
  • Supports ongoing community-based recovery services, potentially reducing higher-cost crisis services through sustained engagement and job/education pathways.

Notes for Readers

  • The bill is a joint resolution, not a general appropriation bill, and thus appropriates funds specifically to Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc. for the Hillsgrove Clubhouse Program.
  • If enacted, the funding would be disbursed by BHDDH with oversight by the State Controller.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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