About Jim Harris

James R. Harris Jr. has a Ph.D. in Childhood Development. His Master Degree was earned in Counseling Psychology.

Jim has spent two decades in the child welfare field. His career started as a therapeutic foster parent for children with special emotional disturbances. He then went on to hold supervisory and clinical positions in the nonprofit sector. Graduate and postgraduate work included research on the impact of no physical contact policies on children and youth in congregate care settings.

Over the years, Dr. Harris has worked with many entities (membership associations, coalitions, state departments, etc.), providing vast experience in convening and facilitating diverse groups. He has assisted numerous nonprofits achieve accreditation, and has worked with various agencies in conducting program evaluations, establishing in-depth training sessions, and creating a wide array of documents: from staff and/or client handbooks to corporation bylaws. Moreover his knowledge of child welfare systems issues has afforded him the chance to work with multiple organizations in developing and implementing strategic plans.

Aside from the child welfare field, Dr. Harris has also served as adjunct faculty at the Community College of Rhode Island. He has authored numerous articles on child and youth-related topics and occasionally presents at conferences and related events.

When he is not working Jim enjoys spending time with his wife and their two beautiful children.

Professional accomplishments include:

Facilitated a group of seventeen foster care providers in Connecticut in 2009; leading to the development of a Retool Plan for Therapeutic Foster Care Services in that state.

Assisted eight (New England-based) organizations achieve accreditation, 2005-2009.

Crafted the rough draft for what would become Rhode Island’s first aftercare model for 18-21 year olds during 2003. The document reflected the input and participation of young adults, residential programming staff, and state department leadership.

Wrote narrative for what would become Rhode Island’s first aftercare model for 18-21 year olds during 2003. The document reflected the input of focus groups comprised of independent living program staff and young adult participants, and with participation from leadership at the RI Department of Children, Youth and Families and the Chafee Life Skills Center for Adolescents.

Drafted legislation that gave state-contracted children's residential providers 5% budget increases in 2001 and 2002.

Developed the Request for Proposals leading to the advent of the Psychiatric Response Network (PRN) Program in 1999. PRN ensures clinical services to all children and youth in residential placement in Rhode Island - regardless of an agency's limited budget. In 2004 PRN became a service offered through Beacon Health Strategies/Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island

Co-developed the Children's Residential Programming curriculum at the Community College of Rhode Island in 2002.

Developed the Request for Proposals which led to the advent of the Psychiatric Response Network (PRN) Program in 1999. PRN was designed to ensure clinical services to all children and youth in residential placement in Rhode Island - regardless of an agency's limited budget. In 2004 PRN became a service offered through Beacon Health Strategies/Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.

Academic and Professional Awards:

Golden Key National Honor Society (1992)

Alpha Sigma Lambda Society [Scholarship and Leadership] (1993)

University of Rhode Island, College of Continuing Education Katzoff Award as the Outstanding Male Graduate (1994)

State of Rhode Island House of Representatives/Senate Citations (2003, 2006)

Key Program: Unlocking Potential of Youth and Families Award (2004)