Tag Archives for Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging

Marianne Raimondo Joins CCRI Leadership, Building on RIC Legacy

Published in RINewsToday on February 23, 2026

On February 6, Rhode Island College’s (RIC) business dean gathered with three dozen colleagues, family members, and friends at The Village at Waterman Lake, for a farewell celebration marking the close of one chapter and the beginning of another

In a LinkedIn post, Marianne Raimondo, MS, MSW, LICSW, Ph.D., reflected on that evening, recalling the shared memories, warm embraces, and heartfelt goodbyes.

She announced, “On Monday, I embark on a new journey as Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). I am excited to work with the CCRI team and continue to serve the students of our state, offering an outstanding educational experience and a bright future.”

Her message signaled both a fond farewell to RIC and the start of an exciting new phase in her academic career.

Taking on a New Leadership Role

After more than 12 years at the Providence-based college, Raimondo leaves RIC, which enrolls more than 6,500 students, to join CCRI, a community college with enrollment close to 13,000 across 4 campuses in degree and certificate programs, and an additional 8,500 students in workforce and adult education courses.

As CCRI’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Raimondo will serve as the college’s chief academic officer, collaborating closely with academic deans, administrators, and faculty to oversee educational programs, ensure instructional quality, and advance the college’s strategic and academic master plans.

Just a week into her new role which began Feb. 9, Raimondo has outlined an action-oriented vision for CCRI. When asked how she plans to support student success at the large, multi-campus college, Raimondo said, “I believe in the joy of learning, and we will ensure our teaching is inspiring, motivating, and engaging, fostering a desire for lifelong learning.”

Recognizing that access remains a challenge, she called for programs that better fit students’ schedules, including high-quality online offerings and flexible scheduling. She also emphasized experiential, project-based learning to equip students with real-world skills.

“Higher education must align with the state’s workforce and economic needs to provide students with viable career paths,” Raimondo said, pointing to a growing demand for skills in the areas such as artificial intelligence and the need to design programs responsive to employer needs.

Raimondo also sees an opportunity to integrate her advocacy for older adults into her professional role by creating internships and shaping curriculum around age-related issues.

CCRI’s new chief academic officer stressed her commitment to closing equity gaps to ensure all students have access to education and sustainable career pathways.

“Caring for, supporting, and advocating for older adults remains a passion of mine,” said Raimondo. The commitment is personal as well as professional: she recalled growing up with her grandfather, who lived with her family for more than 20 years. When her grandmother passed away, she said, there was never any question that he would move in with them.

As a medical social worker, she later saw too many older adults without family support, living alone, or lacking the resources they needed to age in place.

“I truly believe the later years of life should be respected and honored, and that older adults deserve the support they need to live well,” she adds.

Asked whether she will continue her advocacy work, Raimondo says she hopes to remain engaged through board service and community initiatives that support older Rhode Islanders.

Leaving a Legacy at RIC

A Greenville resident, Raimondo started her job at RIC as an associate professor, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in healthcare management and policy. She was then named dean of the businesss school and served as executive director of the Institute for Education in Healthcare, which she started in 2016.  She oversaw RIC’s Institute of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, which opened in the fall of 2023.

Throughout her leadership roles, Raimondo worked to modernize curricula, create career ladders and apprenticeship programs for healthcare workers, increase opportunities for expand experiential learning, and build strategic alliances that made it easier for students to get what they needed.

A licensed clinical social worker, Raimondo holds a Ph.D. in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Management and a Master of Science in Public Health from UMass Amherst. She earned a Master of Social Work from RIC and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Providence College.

Over the course of her career, she has focused on improving healthcare quality and services for older Rhode Islanders, with particular emphasis on quality management, systems redesign, leadership development, and patient satisfaction.

Before joining RIC, Raimondo served as vice president at Applied Management Systems, a healthcare management consulting firm specializing in quality management, systems redesign, and leadership development. Earlier, she was senior vice president at the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.

Bringing Home the Bacon

A prolific grant writer, Raimondo secured substantial funding to address health workforce development, aging services, and behavioral health integration. Around 2016, as principal investigator, she was awarded a RealJobs Rhode Island Healthcare Workforce Grant to strengthen and expand the state’s healthcare workforce. During that year, she also established RIC’s Institute for Education in Healthcare (IEH), securing more than $8.8 million in grants to train healthcare professionals in dementia care, aging services, and case management.

In 2017, Raimondo obtained a $121,000 grant from the Point32 Health Foundation to study service gaps affecting older adults living in the community. This funding ultimately led to the development of a strategic plan to build an Age-Friendly Rhode Island.

In late 2019, a $360,000 three-year grant was awarded to expand statewide aging collaborations.

This was followed in 2022 by a $330,000 general operating grant for the 2023–2025 period to address community priorities for older adults.

In February 2026, the Point32 Health Foundation awarded an additional $55,000 to RIC. This latest funding supports technical assistance and strategic leadership, ensuring the initiative continues its equity-focused systems change as the previous multi-year cycle concludes.

Through Raimondo’s efforts, these investments established the College as a permanent regional hub for aging advocacy. As principal investigator, she co-led a statewide coalition to implement strategies supporting older residents who wish to age in place.

In 2021, serving as executive director and principal investigator, Raimondo received a $2.3 million Behavioral Health Care Managers Workforce Pipeline grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The grant enabled RIC to create a statewide apprenticeship program to train behavioral healthcare managers in partnership with healthcare centers, providing students with hands-on experience and stipends.

In 2022, she was awarded funding through the Alzheimer’s and Dementia-Related Diseases Partnership to strengthen dementia care education and healthcare systems. That same year, Raimondo secured a $2.7 million HRSA Community Health Worker Training grant to expand Rhode Island’s public health workforce by recruiting and training new and existing community health workers.

In 2024, she received a $712,734 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals grant to enhance behavioral health competencies among paraprofessionals and strengthen workforce pathways for entry-level healthcare workers.

Raimondo also served as principal investigator for quality management initiatives under the HIV Ryan White Program, RI EOHHS/Medicaid, Housing Plus, and the Rhode Island Foundation, among others.

Leadership in the Aging Network

Along with birthing Age-Friendly Rhode Island, Raimondo is widely recognized for her leadership in Rhode Island’s aging network. She co-developed the Senior Fellows Program in partnership with Leadership Rhode Island, empowering older adults to serve as informed community advocates.

She also serves on the boards of several aging-focused organizations, including the PACE Organization of Rhode Island and Tockwotton on the Waterfront.

In Aug. 2023, Raimondo received the Providence Business News’ Leaders & Achievers award.

One year later, she would be recognized as Social Worker of the Year – Aging by the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

That year, she was also honored as a “Game Changer” at the 2024 Bad*ss Woman of the Year Awards, presented by the Women’s Business Council of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, recognizing her exemplary leadership and significant contributions to her field.

Her advocacy also earned her recognition the following year.

In Nov. 2025, Raimondo accepted the Meritorious Program Award from the Rhode Island Public Health Association on behalf of Age-Friendly Rhode Island for its impact on the state’s aging population.

In that same year, Raimondo’s Institute for Education in Healthcare received the Career Pathways Advancement Awards from the Governor’s Workforce Board for its behavioral training programs.

As Raimondo begins her new role at CCRI, her record of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to workforce development and advocacy for older Rhode Islanders positions to shape the next chapter of academic excellence in Rhode Island’s public higher education system.

Raimondo’s Lasting Impact on RIC and Aging Programs

Here are some thoughts from RIC colleagues and aging organizations who worked with Marianne Raimondo and witnessed her leadership and accomplishments firsthand. She has made a significant and lasting impact on programming and on enhancing the quality of life for older Rhode Islanders.

“Dr. Raimondo’s contributions have been monumental. Her trailblazing approach combined academic analysis with ‘boots-on-the-ground’ action. Marianne moved students beyond the classroom to create pioneering programs that strengthened the workforce, developed a practical knowledge base, and empowered the aging community with new tools and resources. SACRI wishes her the very best at CCRI, and we look forward to our continued collaboration.”

— Carol Anne Costa, Executive Director of SACRI, the state’s premier advocacy, policy, and organizing nonprofit dedicated to Rhode Island’s older adults and adults with disabilities.

“I have been privileged to serve for many years alongside Marianne on the LTCCC and the RI Alzheimer’s Advisory Council. She consistently brings an open, inquisitive mind, a firm grasp of what is required, and a passion for our shared mission.”

— Dr. Chris Gadbois, Secretary of the state’s Long-Term Care Coordinating Council and Chair of the RI Alzheimer’s Advisory Council.

“Dr. Marianne Raimondo’s contributions to Rhode Island College have been remarkable, as has her leadership in advancing programs focused on older adults. I remember working closely with her as she built the Age-Friendly RI program, which continues to flourish. Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious and inspired all of us who worked with her. CCRI will surely benefit from her vast academic experience, especially in workforce development. I wish her great success in her new role and hope our paths continue to cross.”

— Maureen Maigret, RN, BS, MPA, Aging Policy Consultant and former Director of the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs.

“For many years, my team and I have worked hand in hand with Marianne Raimondo on numerous workforce initiatives. We are grateful for her ongoing partnership and look forward to connecting with her in her new role at CCRI.”

— Rick Brooks, Director of Health Workforce Transformation at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

“Marianne has served on the PACE Board of Directors since 2019. Her enthusiasm for our model of care is evident—whether she is engaging deeply in strategic conversations, buying and delivering personal care items to our participants, referring student interns to PACE, or recruiting new board members. Marianne asks about quality of care and participant satisfaction at board meetings; she ensures participants remain at the center of board-level discussions. Not everyone advocates for older adults—Marianne is a dedicated and caring champion for those who are often forgotten. We are lucky to have her on our board.”
— Joan Kwiatkowski, CEO, PACE-RI.

“Marianne has been an advocate and leader in expanding training opportunities to educate the direct care workforce supporting individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. We look forward to continuing to work with her in this new role to ensure those entering the dementia care field are prepared to serve the needs of the aging community.”

— Margaret Murphy, Senior Program Manager, Alzheimer’s Association, Rhode Island Chapter.

“Since 2016, Dr. Marianne Raimondo has been an indispensable force in advancing the mission and quality of service at Tockwotton on the Waterfront, a local senior living community. As Board Chair, her remarkable impact on our organization and the lives of those we serve is evident. Dr. Raimondo’s leadership has been defined by a tireless commitment to culture change and to elevating the quality of care for our residents. Her oversight and insight have directly led to significant improvements in our operational efficiency and measurable resident outcomes.”
— Chris McGee, Executive Director, Tockwotton on the Waterfront.

“Over the last several years, Meals on Wheels of RI (MOWRI) has expanded our work in the Food is Medicine space, and Marianne’s partnership was integral in developing our service to individuals living with HIV/AIDS and simultaneously experiencing food insecurity. Her collaboration in this effort—now in its second year of implementation, the project has served 2,270 meals—is just one example of her ability to make innovative connections in the healthcare space.”

— Meghan Grady, MOWRI’s Executive Director

“Marianne has long been a steadfast advocate for older adults and for improving the systems that support them. She’s a great strategic thinker, but what I’ve always appreciated is that she never hesitates to roll up her sleeves and do the work. I look forward to seeing how she continues to champion this cause at CCRI.”

— Kyle Penrod, M.S., Project Director, Institute for Education in Healthcare

“Marianne Raimondo is a true leader. I had the pleasure of working beside her for eight years and came to appreciate the seamless way she wove compassion, innovation, and intelligence into her work as a leader and into workforce development efforts in aging and healthcare. Marianne leads by example with determination and dedication.”

 —  Tonya Glantz, MSW, PhD., Executive Director, RIC’s Institute for Education in Healthcare

“Marianne Raimondo has left the healthy aging space far better than she found it when she established Age-Friendly Rhode Island in 2016. Over the past decade, she has deeply impacted older Rhode Islanders through collaborations with more than 60 organizations, driving meaningful change in healthcare workforce transformation, older adult mental health, and so much more. Because of her devotion to aging Rhode Islanders, our most marginalized older neighbors are being fed, transported to medical appointments, receiving better health care, and are more engaged in their communities.”

—  Jim Connell, Executive Director, Age-Friendly RI

“Marianne Raimondo has long demonstrated a deep and authentic commitment to improving the lives of older Rhode Islanders. During her time at Rhode Island College, she strengthened the connection between higher education and the aging network in ways that were both practical and lasting. Her leadership helped elevate programming that recognized older adults not simply as recipients of services, but as active participants in community life, learning, and contribution.”

— Maria E Cimini, MSW, Director, The Rhode Island office of Healthy Aging

“Marianne’s work has brought the Age Friendly philosophy to Rhode Island, developed critical healthcare workforce training in the areas of dementia, older adult behavioral health and addictions. Her forward-thinking guidance as the Dean of RIC’s Institute of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies has enabled my own organization to think through the development of new technologies.  Her depth of knowledge and understanding of the issues older adults face, paired with her caring heart, has created lasting positive change for all Rhode Islanders.”

— Deb Burton, Executive & Gerontologist, RI Elder Info

“As a Rhode Island College alumna, I have been immeasurably proud of everything that Dr. Marianne Raimondo has done to lead at RIC strengthen our state’s health care education and to provide entryways and opportunities for Rhode Islanders who want to enter the health care workforce. As a co-founder of Age-Friendly Rhode Island, she has helped combat ageism and pushed our state to better serve older Rhode Islanders. She brings a vast wealth of knowledge to her new role at CCRI, and I am excited to see both how she continues her longstanding commitment to the aging community and what new projects she takes on.”

— Lt. Governor Sabina Matos 

“Marianne Raimondo is one of the State’s strongest champions for those who may not always be able to advocate for themselves.  I have observed firsthand of her ability to foster change in an impactful way.  She has a great gift of listening to those of us in the trenches to bring the most current concerns and issues facing older adults to platforms that really matter.  The work she has done with providing students with hands on training and opportunities in a variety of areas of healthcare has had a ripple effect that will be felt for years to come.  I am grateful to Marianne for planting the seeds for RI cities and towns to look at aging through a broader lens to provide opportunities for our residents to age in place with all the supports they need.”

— Marylou Moran, Director, Leon A. Mathieu/Pawtucket Division of Senior Services

Rhode Island PR Campaign to Reduce Older Adult Overdoses

Published in RINewsToday on February 16, 2026

Four months ago, the State of Rhode Island joined an estimated 5,000 community coalitions across the nation and U.S. territories to participate in the 2025 National Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, organizes this annual federal initiative to highlight the importance of early intervention and community-based prevention strategies.

During November, the State launched its 2025 public awareness campaign titled No Matter Why You Use, aimed at preventing overdose deaths among adults ages 45 to 64 and older. This demographic group faces unique and often complex health risks that increase the likelihood of fatal overdose, making the campaign an important component of the Ocean State’s comprehensive strategy to reduce overdose deaths and improve lives.

The initiative focuses on aging adults who use substances, providing education and resources to help them feel more connected. “It’s also about eliminating stigma and amplifying the voices of those with lived experience,” said Cathy Schultz, Director of the Governor’s Overdose Task Force, in the statement announcing the program.

The statement also included comments from Linda Mahoney of the state’s Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH), who emphasized the campaign’s creative approach: “The approach we’ve used is designed to elicit a reaction of ‘this is my struggle,’ ‘that could be my friend,’ or ‘that could be my parent.’ The average person doesn’t typically connect substance use with older adults, but that’s part of the issue we face. If we can raise greater awareness of this reality, we can make meaningful strides in prevention, recovery, and eliminating stigma.”

Maria Cimini, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging, highlighting the state’s responsibility as its older adult population grows. “We must see the full humanity of older adults and confront the issues that too often remain hidden. Substance use is not a moral failing—it’s a public health challenge. By meeting people where they are, connecting them to care, and breaking the silence around stigma, we can build stronger, healthier communities for everyone.”

Data Reveals Rising Overdose Risks for Older Rhode Islanders

According to Joseph Wendelken, RI Dept. of Health’s Public Information Officer, national rates of accidental and undetermined fatal overdoses declined from 2023 to 2024 among adults ages 55–64 (from 51.8 to 41.1 per 100,000) and those 65 and older (from 13.4 to 12.5 per 100,000).

Wendelken noted that Rhode Island, however, experienced different trends. During the same period, the overdose rate increased among adults ages 55–64 (from 51.6 to 63.5 per 100,000) but decreased among those 65 and older (from 15.6 to 12.4 per 100,000).

While much of the national conversation about overdose focuses on younger populations, research shows that middle-aged and older Rhode Islanders often struggle with co-existing physical and mental health conditions, chronic pain, isolation, stigma, and limited access to care — factors that can contribute to rising rates of substance use and overdose, says RIDOH.

Among the key statistics driving the public relations campaign are findings from Rhode Island’s 2024 fatal overdose data. Individuals ages 45 to 64 are experiencing accidental drug overdose deaths at significantly higher rates than the statewide average.

Compared to previous years, the Health Dept. says that the rate of accidental drug overdose deaths continues to rise among individuals ages 55 to 64 in Rhode Island. Most overdose deaths in this age group (87%) occurred in private settings, such as homes.

Stimulants — including cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and amphetamines — contributed to 65% of fatal overdoses in this age group, reflecting a growing public health concern beyond opioid-related deaths. Fentanyl was involved in more than half (51%) of fatal overdoses, underscoring its continued role as a primary driver of overdose deaths. A combination of fentanyl and cocaine contributed to 34% of overdoses in this population.

The greatest proportion of overdoses in this age group occurred among males (69%) and non-Hispanic white individuals (74%).

A Statewide Strategy to Prevent Overdose and Save Lives

“The No Matter Why You Use campaign raises awareness of substance use and overdose risks among middle-aged and older adults, provides clear prevention information, and directs Rhode Islanders to PreventOverdoseRI.org for treatment and recovery resources,” said Wendelken. Educational materials have been distributed to hundreds of community partners, including senior centers, healthcare providers, libraries, senior housing sites, and recovery community centers.

The No Matter Why You Use campaign is being led in partnership by the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), BHDDH, OHA, and RIDOH. .

This data-driven campaign supports Gov. Dan McKee’s Overdose Task Force “Roadmap,” which is built on four pillars: strengthening comprehensive prevention; expanding harm reduction and rescue efforts; increasing engagement in treatment; and supporting recovery,” Wendelken explained.

The state initiative is guided by cross-cutting strategies designed to promote an equitable response to the overdose epidemic. These strategies include embedding racial equity across all pillars; strengthening governance and community engagement; expanding data capacity and surveillance; and addressing social determinants of health throughout each pillar.

According to Wendelken, this evidence-informed approach aligns with Rhode Island’s broader overdose prevention strategy and ongoing efforts to save lives.

The state partnered with RDW Group on the No Matter Why You Use campaign. The initiative is based on formative research that included in-depth interviews with subject-matter experts and individuals with lived experience — including people in recovery, counselors, social workers, community advocates, and physicians. These authentic voices helped shape the campaign’s messaging, which emphasizes the impact of stigma, hopelessness, and emotional distress as common triggers for substance use among aging adults who may feel isolated or disconnected.

The campaign’s powerful, portrait-style imagery and first-person messaging acknowledge that people use substances for complex reasons — including isolation, pain, trauma, anxiety, and depression — while centering compassion at its core: No matter why you use, your life matters. Hope and help are here, adds RIDOH.

You can find stories of local Rhode Islanders sharing their powerful recovery stories on the RIDOH (go to https://pori.soapboxx.com).

Designed to help individuals feel safe, seen, and supported, the campaign connects Rhode Islanders to local treatment, recovery, and harm reduction resources at PreventOverdoseRI.org. Its media strategy uses data-driven insights from fatal overdose heat maps to target placements for aging adult audiences. Outreach includes digital advertising on social media, website and app display ads, local and streaming radio spots, and advertisements on gasoline pump televisions.

RIDOH notes that The No Matter Why You Use campaign also includes grassroots outreach to more than 250 organizations statewide. Its launch is part of a comprehensive and ongoing effort by Rhode Island to address substance use and related public health crises.

From Crisis to Recovery

The state’s new No Matter Why You Use campaign, aimed at reducing overdose deaths and addressing stigma among older adults, marks an important first step in combating substance use disorder, says Diane Dufresne, Director of the Pawtucket Prevention Coalition. The coalition is a community organization dedicated to addressing social issues such as substance use, poverty, and homelessness.

Dufresne emphasizes the importance of using precise, nonjudgmental language like “substance use disorder” to shape public perception and support recovery.

“The state’s campaign sloganis powerful because it centers compassion over judgment and makes one thing clear: every life is worth saving,” says Dufresne, who holds a degree in counseling and has been a certified prevention specialist for five years. She also brings more than 40 years of experience as a registered nurse, this extensive clinical background strengthening  her work in substance use prevention and advocacy.

Drawing on her frontline experience, Dufresne agrees with the state’s assessment that substance use and overdose rates are rising among adults age 45 and older. She attributes this trend in part to limited harm-reduction education available to this generation.

“Many older adults developed addictions through legitimate opioid prescriptions and now face complex health challenges, including dangerous interactions with medications prescribed for coexisting conditions,” she explains.

Dufresne notes that shame and stigma are primary drivers of isolation among older adults, increasing the risk of fatal overdoses. “Older adults are more likely to use substances alone in private settings. “Younger people have received more harm-reduction education and better understand the risks of using alone,” she says.

Dufresne also highlights significant barriers to treatment, including transportation challenges, insurance limitations, technology gaps, and reduced mobility. Addressing these obstacles, she says, will require increased state funding and more targeted outreach efforts.

“Increased funding is necessary for community organizations to expand anti-stigma education, provide training opportunities, and connect older adults with treatment and recovery services,” Dufresne says.

The No Matter Why You Use campaign acknowledges the unique challenges facing this demographic, including limited exposure to modern harm-reduction practices, a higher likelihood of addiction stemming from prescribed opioids, and increased social isolation.

Dufresne advocates pairing Narcan distribution with anti-stigma education and recommends practical strategies to reach isolated seniors.

“Effective outreach should include combined Narcan and anti-stigma training in senior housing and community centers, along with door hangers that provide service information for individuals in private residences,” she says.

Above all, Dufresne stresses that saving lives must remain the priority.

“The act of saving a life should never be influenced by judgments about a person’s history of addiction or previous overdoses,” she says.

The Village helps grandparent/kinship caregivers in need

Published in RINewsToday on September 18, 2023

When we dream about our retirement years, these dreams most likely don’t include images of diapers, children’s tantrums, and school buses. However, for some grandparents and other kinship caregivers, their later years include these images, as they become primary caregivers for their grandchildren/kin children.

Nationally, more than 2.5 million children are being raised in kinship families which includes grandparents, other extended family members, or anyone with an existing relationship with the child or family. When these children cannot be with their parents, the next best thing is being placed with kin.

There are many benefits to staying with kin rather than being placed into the state’s foster care system. These can include experiencing less trauma; increased stability, higher rates of permanency; better behavioral and mental health outcomes; more feelings of belonging and being accepted, increased likelihood of living with or staying connected to their siblings, and a greater sense of cultural identity and connections to family.  

Additionally, kinship caregivers save the U.S economy approximately $ 6 billion dollars per year by keeping children out of formal foster care. Across the nation, there is a growing recognition of the importance and value of kinship caregivers. However, all of this comes at a physical, mental and financial cost to the kinship

The challenges of being a kinship caregiver

A new research study, Caregiver Profile: A Closer Look at Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren, by the National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Family Support (NCFS) at the University of Pittsburg, grandparent caregivers are experiencing a litany of adverse effects causing them to become a particularly vulnerable group. Grandparents are facing a higher rate of disability, lower employment, and a greater likelihood of poverty, says the study’s findings. One quarter of grandparents raising grandchildren live below the poverty line.

“Many challenges exist for grandparent and kin caregivers of children when it comes to navigating the legal and custody landscape while supporting their own needs, from physical and mental health to financial and employment security. We think this data [detailed in the 16 page report released in Sept. 2023] showcases the need to move forward on the recommendations developed by the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (SGRG) and the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Act Family, Caregiving Advisory Council that can help to support grandparent and kin caregivers,” said Meredith Hughes, JD, MPH, Senior Policy Analyst at University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute and Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health.”

 It is important to provide supportive services for grandparents raising grandchildren as many of these caregivers lack the necessary resources to fully support the children in their care. Support in areas such as kinship navigator programs that provide a single-entry point for learning about housing, health services, and financial and legal assistance, along with improved household resources and access to mental health services are needed. Rhode Island has a kinship navigator program for families involved with the department, but currently one does not exist for those who are not involved.  For every family involved with the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families, (DCYF), there are 5 who are not.

Grandparenting in the Ocean State

cording to the U.S. Census bureau, over 13,968 children are living with and being raised by their grandparents in Rhode Island, who make up the largest percentage of relative caregivers. Some kin families are involved with the child welfare system when children have to be removed from their home on an emergency basis. Rhode Island is one of the leading states in the nation in finding and placing children with kin. The state’s long-held philosophy is that children do better by living with kin. Of all the children in the state’s foster care system, around 70% are placed with kin.

For families involved with the DCYF, (known as “formal” kin caregivers) while it can be a distressing experience, they do gain access to needed resources and services, as well as receive monthly stipends and other supports to care for the children. For families who have private arrangements and are not involved with DCYF (“informal” caregivers), finding those resources and services can be challenging. Many if not most of kinship families are not involved with the child welfare system and have no idea that there are any resources. Finding and supporting those families has become one mission of the Cranston-based The Village for RI Foster and Adoptive Families (The Village) and the Warwick-based Hispanic Foster and Adoptive Parents Organization of Rhode Island (The Heart Tree).

The Village, established in 2016 by a group of five foster and adoptive families, provides peer support to all RI foster, adoptive and kin families. The Village provides support through peer mentoring, peer-led support groups and family events, as well as running a “Closet” where families both donate and receive material things such as clothing, toys, diapers etc. The Heart Tree, a sister organization, also provides those same supports in a culturally appropriate manner to our Spanish speaking families. The Heart Tree was established in 2021 to meet the unique needs of Spanish speaking foster, adoptive and kin families.

Sixty-three-year-old Laurie Tapozada is a kinship caregiver who sees the value of the assistance provided by the The Village in raising her 8-year-old grandson. “When it first happened and I was suddenly raising a baby at age 55, I didn’t know one single other family like mine, she said.

“My life was turned on its head, I was struggling to manage my hectic work schedule with a baby and dealing with all sorts of messy and painful family dynamics that come with being a kinship caregiver,” says Tapozada.

According to Tapozada, she had to re-educate herself as to how to safely raise a baby without getting support from family and friends who thought she was “crazy” for taking this on. It was overwhelming and distressing until she received a call from a friend who suggested that she “call the Village and they will understand.”  From that point Tapozada has become actively involved in the kinship community and network, “It been a life changer for me,” she says.

Although Rhode Island is recognized as a leader in ensuring that children removed from homes are placed with kin, increasing support for kin families is a pressing need.  In 2022, the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging awarded a grant (through funding from the U.S. Administration for Community Living overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) to the Village and the Heart Tree, to identify informal kin families and help connect them to existing resources, and to the growing kinship caregiver community. 

RIOHA’s grant also funded a multi-faceted effort, in person and online activities, and incorporating traditional print, broadcast, digital and social media communication and training.  Throughout the year, exhibit tables were placed at family events, informational meetings and festivals to get the word out about available resource for kindship caregivers. This grant also created a statewide website where these individuals could go and learn more about resources, as well as find out what is happening in the kin community. This website is www.kinshipcommunityconnections.org.

Project Director Shannon Dos Santos, of the Village, sees the value and positive impact of this grant on Rhode Island’s kinship caregiver families. “I have seen the joy on the faces of many Kinship Caregivers aged 55 and over and their families over the last fifteen months as a result of this grant,” she says, noting that reaching out to this population and getting them to engage has been a challenge. “But when they do – it is beautiful to watch.”

According to Dos Santos, many just feel isolated, overwhelmed and alone. “This grant has allowed us to focus on community outreach and engagement as well as provided us with opportunities to enhance what we at the Village do so well – peer support and family activities!  “It has been a blessing to watch these families come together at these events, form relationships with others in  similar situations and feel safe sharing their experiences,” she says.  

The Village’s Chairman of the Board, Sue Babin, who is also full-time employee and a kinship caregiver, too, added, “This exciting grant initiative has provided The Village with an opportunity to continue to do what we do best… peer outreach and support from people with lived experiences.” And, while RI OHA’s grant ends this month, additional funding will extend the program for 12 months, she says.

For info about The Village for RI Foster & Adoptive Families (The Village), go to https://www.rivillage.org/. Or call (401) 481-5483.

For info about Hispanic Foster and Adoptive Parents Organization of Rhode Island (The Heart Tree), go to https://sites.google.com/view/thehearttree/homeinicio?authuser=1.  Or Call (401) 306-9652.

For info about Kinship Community Connections, go to https://kinshipcommunityconnections.org/

WPRI 12’ s Rhode Island Video on Foster Care Month, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhI206EXBfQ.

For a copy of the recently released research study, Caregiver Profile: A Closer Look at Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren, by NCFS at the University of Pittsburg, go to

https://www.caregiving.pitt.edu/caregiver-profile-closer-look-grandparents-caring-grandchildren