PROVIDENCE – In an effort to ensure elderly and disabled residents receive health care, meals, transportation and other essential support services, U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed recently announced $479,745 in federal funding will be disseminated in contract renewals for service coordinators in several Rhode Island communities. Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Service Coordinator Program provides funding to employ service coordinators in assisted multifamily housing developments who connect residents to existing locally based programs and services.
Service coordinators play a critical role in helping encourage a supportive service environment that allows vulnerable individuals to live independently in their homes. Service coordinators support HUD-assisted housing residents by improving their financial security and social connections, and facilitate delivery of long-term community-based supportive services to elderly and other vulnerable populations, according to Reed’s statement.
“I am pleased to help deliver critical resources for Rhode Island. These service coordinators help connect seniors and disabled residents with the care, support and assistance they need. It is a cost-effective program that helps low-income seniors live on their own – rather than in an assisted-living program – but who still need someone to look out for them and help them navigate their independent lives,” Reed, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, said in the statement.
According to Reed’s statement, federal funding will be provided to housing organizations in the following communities: East Providence, $64,363; North Providence, $6,670; Pawtucket, $69,233; Providence, $260,469; Warwick, $9,452; and Woonsocket, $69,558.
Nancy Kirsch is a PBN contributing writer.
