The Rhode Island Rehabilitation Council was officially established April 18, 1962. The founding membership included 86 agencies (state and private), organizations and professional societies. The purpose of the council was the long range planning of rehabilitation services. In 1961, a working committee from the Department of Health was formed to coordinate the planning of the council after it was determined that there was little information available on rehabilitation facilities and little knowledge on the services provided by various agencies. The council received a federal project grant (CH 42-1) under the Community Health Services and Facilities Act. Under the grant, the council received a yearly allocation of $13,760.00, which was used to hire an Executive Secretary for the council. The term of the grant was three years. The Council included sub committees charged with various duties and projects. The sub-committees included the Executive Committee; the Architectural Barriers Committee (the council and the Rhode Island Easter Seal Society); Program Committee; Statistics Committee and Editorial Committee.
From the guide to the Rhode Island Rehabilitation Council meeting minutes, Rehabilitation Council (Rhode Island) meeting minutes, 1962-1964, (Rhode Island State Archives)
