Thanks to a $40K grant, Families First expands into South County
By MICHAEL SOUZA
PROVIDENCE - Because of a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation, Families
First Rhode Island (FFRI) will be expanding into the South County area.
Having received $40,000 from one of the state’s largest benefactors, the
grassroots nonprofit organization can now increase its services to assist
local people in need.
Families First provides in-home evaluations, treatment referrals, social
support, and parenting education to pregnant and postpartum women who are
experiencing or at risk for depression.
Thanks to a $40K grant, Families First expands into South County
By MICHAEL SOUZA
PROVIDENCE - Because of a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation, Families
First Rhode Island (FFRI) will be expanding into the South County area.
Having received $40,000 from one of the state’s largest benefactors, the
grassroots nonprofit organization can now increase its services to assist
local people in need.
Families First provides in-home evaluations, treatment referrals, social
support, and parenting education to pregnant and postpartum women who are
experiencing or at risk for depression.
Executive Director Sarah Sinclair is looking forward to the new
opportunity. “We’re excited. Although we’re a state-wide agency this
grant makes it easier to have a greater presence in [South County].”
The FFRI was incorporated in 2005 and has been in operation since January
2008. They employ a paid clinical staff but most of their support is
performed by trained volunteers.
“Once someone is referred to us, the first thing we do is send a clinician
who determines if their needs are within our scope of services. If their
need is too great than they are referred to an agency that can provide the
help they need,” she said.
“The next step would be to match them with one of our volunteers who can
give them the support they need,” Sinclair said.
Most of FFRI’s work is performed on-site, at the mother’s house, saving
them the sometimes arduous task of simply leaving the home with a newborn.
Ultimately, their aim is to restore confidence in mothers by offering
non-judgmental support and to promote supportive relationships within the
community.
“In a way it’s like neighborhood building. By having a greater presence
in the area through our volunteers we hope to build up the community.”
Volunteer mentor mothers will offer social support and build relationships
with participating mothers through weekly home visits.
Their services are free of charge regardless of insurance status are not
restricted to first time mothers or to families based on income, insurance
status or other characteristics.
Volunteer training and supervision will be held at South County Hospital
The two staff members who are based in South County are Ann Marie Denelle,
MSN, LCSW and Elizabeth Carter, LMHC. Ann Marie will be the lead
clinician. The Founder and Clinical Program Director is Sally Harrison,
RN, MSM, APRN, BC.
“It’s a relationship we’ve been working on for years and they have been
great. Right now we have a memorandum of understanding and we hope to
continue with that,” she said.
The location for our monthly and weekly gatherings is yet to be determined.
Those services include pre-natal classes, lactation consultation,
behavior health and visiting nurses services. There is documented
evidence that such services are needed now more than ever
An independent study from the Washington County Coalition for Children
revealed that a sizable portion need originates in the southern part of
the state. Entitled and how are the children?, the 2008 report
concluded the following:
* More families felt compelled to enroll for Foods Stamps and Free/Reduced
School Meals, up 16% and 23% respectively.
* Nearly 100 area families with children were homeless in 2007.
* 886 “indicated cases” of child abuse and neglect were reported in
Washington County over the last five years. Over half of the cases
occurred in Westerly and North Kingstown.
Children witnessed at least 300 incidents of domestic abuse.
According to the RI Department of Health, one in 13 women who give birth
in Rhode Island report being diagnosed with depression during
pregnancy,thus a need exists to offer services to this population.
“We know that depression and isolation can affect women at all levels of
the socioeconomic spectrum and we are committed to providing equitable
services to all women who seek our support.
“Our board of directors is a fully hands on board. They give enormously
of themselves, contributing in every way, from marketing and PR to
networking and grant writing. Almost everyone who becomes involved with
this organization finds the program to be extremely compelling, which
accounts for the dedication of our volunteers and loyal staff and board,”
she said..
“Our tag line”’ is “Moms Helping Moms” which is actually a much better
description of our program, “Sinclair said.
The expansion is one of many funded by the Rhode Island Foundation, the
state’s only community foundation.
“We are excited about Families First’s plan to expand its services to more
Rhode Islanders. This project directly aligns with our goal for the human
services sector to support projects that incorporate best practices and
get positive outcomes for at risk and vulnerable children and families,”
Anna Cano-Morales, associate vice president for grant programs said in a
statement last week.
The become a volunteer or learn more about Families First Rhode Island,
visit their website at www.familiesfirstri.org or contact them at (401)
383-9933.
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