Raimondo announces $500K to assist seniors and disabled Rhode Islanders

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo announced $500,000 in grants to seven Rhode Island entities to help older Rhode Islanders and residents with disabilities live well in their communities Friday.

Grants come from the Executive Office of Heath and Human Services’ federal-funded Money Follows the Person program. The program is designed to help shift long-term health care spending from facility-based care to community-based care. The grants also will support Rhode Islanders with disabilities, Raimondo’s office said.

“All Rhode Islanders deserve to live healthy, fulfilling and purposeful lives in their communities,” said Raimondo in prepared remarks. “These grants support our goal of shifting Rhode Island’s long-term care system toward one that includes a responsive set of community-based services focused on addressing Rhode Islanders’ evolving needs.”

The grants were awarded to:

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  • One Neighborhood Builders – $144,740 to offer transportation, community engagement, health and wellness support, healthy food access and home repairs to residents of Central Providence Village
  • Sherlock Center – $113,700 to train caregivers in positive behavior and crisis prevention strategies for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and other behavioral challenges
  • Providence Village – $80,000 over two years to help transition to the Village Common, a nonprofit that supports participating villages with a governing board and an executive director, administration and operational support. The grant will award $50,000 in the first year and $30,000 in the second year
  • Thundermist Health Center – $51,746 to support its Rainbow Wellness Program, which assists older LGBTQ adults and LGBTQ adults with disabilities to live independently and remain in their communities
  • Westbay Community Action – $50,000 to support “Can O’ Peas,” a program that delivers emergency food, USDA commodities and fresh produce to individuals in Kent County
  • St. Martin de Porres – $38,094 to develop a volunteer program that increases community participation and supports at-home living of older adults
  • Foster – $21,720 over two years to provide weekly, non-medical transportation to older residents and those with disabilities in Foster

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor. He can be reached at Bergenheim@PBN.com.