Ellen Flannery-Schroeder and Nicole O’Malley recognized by Washington County Coalition for Children

Two University of Rhode Island professors were honored as “champions” for child advocacy May 26 during the Washington County Coalition for Children’s annual Children’s Issues Forum.

Psychology Professor Ellen Flannery-Schroeder was named one of two “Champions for Community Change,” an award given to a member of the coalition who has gone above and beyond in their efforts to improve outcomes for our children. The coalition’s top award — Champion for Children — went to Clinical Assistant Professor of Music Therapy Nicole O’Malley.

Flannery-Schroeder was chosen because of her proven commitment to improving children’s mental health through such efforts as organizing mental health training with local pediatricians, and creating the coalition’s “Greatest Eight” program, which teaches parents eight core skills to help their children achieve lasting mental health.

“Ellen is an eager collaborator and creative out-of- the box thinker,” said Susan Orban, coordinator of the coalition. “Her passion for teaching is evident in the fun, engaging ways she engages her audiences, whether students, health/behavioral health providers, or parents. An expert in child anxiety and treatment, Ellen seizes every opportunity she can to promote children’s mental health.”

Flannery-Schroeder also delivered the event’s keynote address, remarking on the monumental challenges children have faced in recent years — including the COVID-19 pandemic and repeated school shootings throughout the country, among other problems — and the resulting negative impacts on their mental health. She focused in part on the need for children to learn to become resilient when faced with adversity.

“Children don’t have world experience and perspective to deal with some of the bad things in the world,” Flannery-Schroeder said in her address. “They need to know storms come and go, and will keep coming. But we might not want to remove all of these trials because there will be more in life. We want our kids to be resilient when faced with those roadblocks.”

“Champion for Children” O’Malley, who is also founder and executive director of Hands in Harmony, a non-profit music therapy organization, was chosen for her work with infants and young children.

“Her trailblazing efforts fostering bonding through the development of personal lullabies for substance exposed newborns, and developing skills through musical play in early intervention programs are to be commended,” Orban said. “She is a music therapy leader in our state and her work with vulnerable children, as well as people with health conditions and disabilities of all ages, is worthy of public recognition.”

The Washington County Coalition for Children is a coalition of social service agencies, health providers, parents, legislators, town officials and volunteers who advocate on behalf of the region’s children. The coalition holds its annual Children’s Issues Forum “to bring awareness to the needs of children and families in Washington County.” Past winners of Coalition awards include advocates, educators, foster parents, health care practitioners and elected officials.