News Summary
Foster Forward has received a $30,000 grant to boost overdose prevention and recovery services at its Youth Drop-In Center in East Providence. This funding aims to enhance support for local youths, providing essential resources like clinician services and mentorship programs. The initiative focuses on educating young people about overdose prevention and connecting them to treatment options. With a track record of aiding 180 youths last year, the center plays a critical role in tackling substance use challenges in the community.
East Providence, RI Receives $30,000 Grant for Youth Overdose Prevention Services
Foster Forward has been awarded a $30,000 grant to enhance overdose prevention, addiction treatment referrals, and recovery-oriented services at its Youth Drop-In Center located in East Providence. This funding aims to better support local youth in need of assistance with substance use and recovery.
Last year, the Youth Drop-In Center provided critical support to 180 youth, offering access to essential services such as a full-time clinician and a peer support specialist who possesses lived experience in foster care and homelessness. These resources are designed to create a safe and reliable environment for young people coping with various challenges.
According to the executive director of Foster Forward, the center acts as a trusted space for youth facing housing instability, providing necessities like food, clothing, and showers, along with both clinical and peer support. The center plays a crucial role in supporting high-risk youth who often deal with family disconnection, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. It serves as a vital bridge for these individuals, helping them navigate complex issues related to substance use and mental health.
This grant will anchor Foster Forward’s efforts in overdose prevention and recovery support, integrating validated screening tools to assess substance use risk. The project will also expand clinical hours, ensuring that more youth receive the help they need. The Youth Drop-In Center will facilitate referrals to treatment partners as well as offer both group and individual mentoring sessions.
Youth involved in the program will receive education on overdose prevention strategies, which includes access to naloxone kits and medication lockboxes, further enhancing the support network for young individuals in crisis.
This funding is part of a broader initiative where the Rhode Island Foundation has distributed a total of 19 grants to various nonprofits across the state. The grants were awarded in partnership with Governor Dan McKee’s Governor’s Overdose Task Force, highlighting a collaborative effort to combat the opioid crisis in Rhode Island. Governor McKee has expressed support for this partnership and the shared objective of saving lives through these initiatives.
The Rhode Island Foundation received a total of 59 applications for this round of funding, demonstrating the high demand for resources to address the ongoing challenges presented by the opioid epidemic in the state. The financial backing for these grants stems from proceeds generated through the state’s Opioid Settlement Agreement, reflecting a commitment to community health and support.
As the opioid crisis continues to affect many communities, the importance of initiatives like the one at Foster Forward cannot be overstated. The recent grant will enhance the capacity of the Youth Drop-In Center to provide essential services and support to youths in need, contributing to the overall health and wellbeing of the community in East Providence.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Rhode Island Foundation Allocates $2.5 Million for Opioid Crisis
Additional Resources
- Patch: East Providence Nonprofit Receives $30,000 Grant
- Wikipedia: Opioid Epidemic
- Patch: Youth Drop-In Center Provides Critical Support
- Google Search: Overdose Prevention Strategies
- Patch: Foster Forward Helps Youth Overcoming Addiction
- Google Scholar: Youth Substance Use and Recovery
- Patch: Rhode Island Foundation Announces Grants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Substance Use Disorder
- Patch: Governor Dan McKee Partners with Nonprofits for Overdose Prevention
- Google News: Opioid Crisis Rhode Island
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
