Advocates in Action Rhode Island: Rhode Island's Statewide Self-Advocacy Organization

Self-Advocacy means
realizing what's important,
speaking up about it
and making a difference!

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Information and Updates from
the RI Division of Developmental Disabilities

CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF BHDDH WITH QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR DD SERVICES

The Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) has set up a PHONE HOTLINE that you can call for questions and concerns about your DD Services and Support Needs.

This only for Non-Medical Support needs. See below for any Medical-Related Issues.

Here's the Phone Hotline information from the Division:

WEEKDAYS: CALL 401-462-3421

Dial 401-462-3421, Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for NON-MEDICAL questions about your DD Services and Support Llame de Lunes a Viernes de 8:30 a.m. a 4:00 p.m., para: Necesidades de Apoyo No Médico. Preguntas sobre Sus Servicios DD.

Call 401-462-3421 during regular business hours to ask questions or speak to someone about your support needs. DD Services staff will be answering this number on weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Note: BHDDH is working with a reduced workforce due to the Coronavirus. For those who may be trying to reach a DD Social Caseworker, they are asking that you use this number, rather than calling anyone on a direct line.

WEEKNIGHTS: CALL 401-265-7461

Dial 401-265-7461, Monday thru Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., for emerging or imminent NON-MEDICAL questions or concerns about your DD Services and Supports. Llame Durante la Semana, de 4:00 p.m. a 10:00 p.m., para: Preocupaciones Vitales, No Médicas y Necesidades de Apoyo. Preguntas Importantes y Urgentes sobre Sus Servicios DD.

WEEKENDS: CALL 401-265-7461

Dial 401-265-7461, Saturday thru Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., for emerging or imminent NON-MEDICAL questions or concerns about your DD Services and Supports Llame los Fines de Semana, de 8:30 a.m. a 10:00 p.m., para: Preocupaciones Vitales, No Médicas y Necesidades de Apoyo. Preguntas Importantes y Urgentes sobre Sus Servicios DD.

Use this number to call the Division for EMERGING OR IMMINENT NON-MEDICAL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS about your DD Services and Supports.

In other words, call this number on weeknights and weekends if you have a question about your DD Services and you need an answer right away, or an urgent concern or need for support. Someone will be answering this number on weeknights, Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and on weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: DIAL 911

For medical emergencies, call 911 right away. Do this anytime, 24 hours a day that you need emergency medical help. Don't wait! PARA EMERGENCIAS MÉDICAS LLAME AL 911 DE INMEDIATO. ¡NO ESPERE!

The Division's Hotline numbers are for non-medical questions and concerns related to your DD Services. For MEDICAL ISSUES, they recommend you do the following:

If you are HAVING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, dial 911. Call them right away: at any time, on any day. Don't wait to call!

If you THINK YOU'RE HAVING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, but you're not sure, you should still dial 911 and follow their instructions.

ROUTINE HEALTHCARE: CALL YOUR DOCTOR

If you have routine healthcare questions, or you think you may need medical care, but it IS NOT AN EMERGENCY, contact your doctor.
Follw your doctor's advice.
Don't go to their office unless they tell you to. CONTACTO TU DOCTOR. LLAMADA TELEFÓNICA PARA: Atención Médica que NO ES DE EMERGENCIA. Preguntas RUTINARIAS sobre Su Salud. Siga los consejos de su medico. NO vayas a su oficina a menos que te digan!

If you have a ROUTINE QUESTION ABOUT YOUR HEALTHCARE, or think you MAY NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION, BUT IT'S NOT AN EMERGENCY, call your doctor.

Follow their advice. Don't go to their office unless they tell you to.

GENERAL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS: EMAIL THE DIVISION

If you have any GENERAL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, you can email them to the Division at: BHDDH.AskDD@bhddh.ri.gov

You should only use email if you need to contact BHDDH about something, but it's NOT URGENT. In other words, send them an email if you can wait a few days to get an answer. This will help in 2 ways. First, it will help keep the phone lines free for people who need to reach BHDDH right away. Second, it will also help keep the lines open for people who aren't able to send and receive email.

Do not use email if you need to speak with someone about your DD Services right away. Call the Hotline if you have any urgent/critical requests, concerns or needs!

STAY INFORMED ABOUT YOUR DD SERVICES: SIGN UP FOR THE DD MAILING LIST

BHDDH also has an email list that you can join to receive Community Bulletins and DD Updates.

CLICK HERE to visit the BHDDH Sign-Up Page

Send us your suggestions! CLICK HERE TO email AinA if you have any information, links or suggestions you'd like us to add to this page

This page was updated on Tuesday, February 9, 2021